The Milk Powder Importers Association (MIA) yesterday expressed concern over the current shortage of imported milk powder in the local market and said this temporary shortage is due to purchasing bulk milk powder by customers especially during the New Year period to maintain additional stocks in their homes, wayside tea boutiques, restaurants and hotels.
MIA member Lakshman Weerasuriya told the Daily News that due to the carelessness of responsible officers in retail shops and shopping centers, unauthorized persons are collecting bulk milk powder packets.
He categorically denied that there is a milk powder shortage in the country and said consumers should understand this situation. Weerasuriya further said Sri Lanka’s monthly milk powder consumption is between 6,500 to 7,000 metric tons and manufacturers provide even more than the required stocks countrywide.
Meanwhile a leading milk powder distributor and the owner of three milk powder distribution centres Sumanasiri Liyanage saíd he distributes milk powder mainly to super centres and employees in these super centres keep large stocks with them for their personal use and sell only few packets to customers.
He said at least now responsible authorities should look into this matter and make arrangements to release milk powder to customers during this festive period in a methodical manner.