President okays chicken imports

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has given his consent for commercial ventures to import chicken. Due to the fact that the price of chicken is at a very high level at present and people cannot afford it, the Cost-of-Living committee meeting held last week under the patronage of the President had agreed to the importing of chicken.

Trade, Commerce and Food Security Minister Nalin Fernando said yesterday (31) during a press conference held at the Ministry that this decision was made as at present people cannot afford the high price of food items containing chicken.

The Minister also mentioned that it will be possible to supply imported chicken to the industries which use chicken, at a price lower than Rs.1,450 per kilo, which is the current price in the local market; accordingly, the price of the food items containing chicken will be reduced.