Minister Rohitha Abegunawardhana says Sri Lanka, which earns US$ 5 billion from the tourism industry, has not been able to earn a single dollar from the industry in the past several months.
Speaking to media in Colombo, Minister Abegunawardhana claimed there is a shortage of dollars in the entire world.
He said the Prime Minister recently instructed for essential items which are currently held at the Colombo Port by Sri Lanka Customs to be released immediately adding Customs officials and other relevant state institutions are working on it.
The Minister said the government’s objective is to ensure that essential items are available for consumers at reasonable rates without any shortages.
