The price of bread may rise to Rs. 60, speculated the Island on Saturday, after bakers at the Association of Bakery Owners met on Friday.
On Friday, officials at Sri Lanka's two main milling companies - Prima and Serendib - said that the price of wheat flour had been raised by Rs.6 and Rs. 4 per kilo, respectively. Both companies said the price hike was due to losses during the importing of wheat flour, following the depreciation of the rupee, and increased transport costs.
Speaking to The Sunday Island, bakers said:
"We don’t want to burden the people, we feel it too. But what can we do with the flour price going up?"
"Everything is going up.. and it is the people who will suffer"
Another baker commented that prices were being rounded up to the nearest Rs. 5 as customers disliked having to carry small coins.
"People don’t like to carry coins because nothing can be purchased for Rs. 1 or Rs.2. They only serve the purpose of making exact payments. And we as traders cannot always carry enough change. It is a nuisance to both parties".
