The All-Island Poultry Association had urged the Cooperative and Internal Trade Minister, Johnston Fernando, not to import chicken to fill the shortage in the market as it would affect the local poultry industry, according to Daily Mirror of Sri Lanka.

Speaking to the newspaper on 5 May, the Association chairman, Dr D.D. Wanasinghe, said the main cause for the current marginal shortage of chicken in the market was due to the high demand in the previous month with festivities and elections.

"The minister has asked from us the statistics of poultry breeding in the market currently and will take a decision on importing chicken after the report was submitted to him; the report will be ready by May 7," Dr Wanasinghe said.

He also observed the marginal shortage was also due to elections, which saw an increase in social events. He explained that chicken is a favourite dish at social functions and during festive seasons, and added that marginal shortage of chicken at the moment was due to this reason.

"The opening of the North and the East has seen many restaurants and cafes opening in those areas and the demand for chicken consumption keeps on increasing," he said.

Dr Wanasinghe criticised the Consumer Affairs Authority for being harsh on local poultry breeding as the fixed price on chicken has not increased since September 2008, and this is leading some local poultry breeders to close down due to the production costs being higher than the selling price, he told Daily Mirror.