Food importers seek dollars to release 1000 containers held up in port
By Chris Kamalendran
Essential food importers have urged the Government to release sufficient US dollars to clear more than 1000 containers held up at the Colombo port, and warned of possible food shortages, if they are not cleared
A spokesman said that these containers contained dhal, rice, sugar, garlic and other essential food items and they needed to be cleared immediately.
He said the importers had also urged the Government to remove the demurrage and other port charges during the period the containers had been held up.
“If the charges are not removed, we will not be able to provide the goods at an affordable price to the consumers," the spokesman said.
One importer said that as many as 100 containers brought down by him had been held up for the past one month.
However, Customs chief G.V. Ravipriya claimed that there were only 500 containers held up at the port awaiting to complete formalities.
NEWS
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2021-11-28T08:00:00.0000000Z
2021-11-28T08:00:00.0000000Z
https://sundaytimes.pressreader.com/article/281685438118052
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