Food importers have urged the Sri Lankan Government to release US dollars to clear more than 1000 containers from Colombo port, and warned of possible food shortages, if they are not cleared
A spokesman said to the Colombo media 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.
One importer said that as many as 100 containers brought down by him had been held up for the past one month.
Meantime, politicians from the ruling party, are avoiding visits to their own constituencies to avoid public humiliation by people who are struggling with the skyrocketing cost of living.
