Shopping list finalised; major share for private sector

Sri Lanka has already finalised its shopping list for imports to be made under the credit line from India.

The items include sugar, rice, dhal, onions and potatoes for a total value of US$ 150 million and pharmaceuticals to the value of US$ 115 million.

In addition, raw material for the garment industry, animal feed, tyres, tubes and aluminium, cement and fertiliser have been included in the list prepared by the Trade Ministry.

Finance and Trade Ministry sources said that 20 percent of the essential food items would be imported through the State Trading General Corporation while the private sector would be permitted to import 80 per cent of the stocks.