The All Island Canteen Owners Association says the government must accept complete responsibility over the prices of food items at bakeries and restaurants in line with the rise in fuel prices.
President of the Association Asela Sampath speaking to NewsRadio said Sri Lanka is facing a very unpleasant period that has not been experienced ever before.
Sampath said the fuel price hike was a Christmas present to the public by the government.
He added the main concern the country is faced with is the lack of dollar reserves adding the government must move towards local manufacturing and import economy.
However, he said instead, the government is leaving the public dry and is increasing costs that will be pocketed by Ministers.
Sampath stated that prices of goods including food items, medicines, and essential items are increasing and therefore bakery and canteen owners decided not to have stipulated prices for food items.
He said businessmen have been granted the opportunity to determine prices in a manner that they don’t make losses.
He charged that the increase in fuel prices has increased transportation costs with unloading costs also increasing as of yesterday.
Asela Sampath accused the government of failing to sympathise with the public during such difficult times.
