Chairman of the All Island Poultry Association AIPA Dr D. Wanasinghe told Daily News after the Government decided to control the price of ten essential items including chicken, the association entered into the official agreement with the Government to produce poultry at a price of Rs. 260 during the festive season.

This price was set for chicken, which are not skinned, and skinned chicken was released from the price control.

Members of the association say they cannot provide poultry for Rs. 260 even after the festive season. However the Government wanted to continue the price reduction of these ten essential items after the festive season too.

Wanasinghe said that chicken is the only item, which is produced in the country, and all other items included in the price control list are imported to Sri Lank. Import tax on these items has been exempted for price reduction of these essential items.

But the poultry industry has not been granted any tax concessions or reductions to reduce prices since taxes have been imposed in four stages of the poultry production process. The Association expects to lobby for a price increase when setting prices for next month with the Government.

Source: Daily News