Prices of several food items will increase from midnight today (11).

The All Ceylon Restaurant Owners' Association has announced that the prices of food and beverages in restaurants island-wide will be increased, effective from midnight today (March 11). According to this new price revision, the price of a plain tea will increase by Rs. 5, and the price of a milk tea and short eats will increase by Rs. 10.

In addition, it has been decided to increase the price of a rice packet and kottu by Rs. 25, and the rapid increase in operating costs in the restaurant industry has led to this decision.

The main reason for this increase in food prices is the increase in Litro gas prices, effective from midnight yesterday (March 10). Under that price revision, the price of a 12.5 kg standard gas cylinder has increased by Rs. 300, and its new price is Rs. 3,990. Also, the price of a 5 kg gas cylinder has increased by Rs. 120, with a new price of Rs. 1,602, and the price of a 2.3 kg small gas cylinder has increased by Rs. 56, with a new price of Rs. 750.

Meanwhile, further intensifying the economic pressure on consumers, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) increased all fuel prices effective from midnight on March 09, and Sinopec and IOC companies also took steps to increase their fuel prices concurrently. Accordingly, a liter of Octane 92 petrol increased by Rs. 24, with its new price being Rs. 317, and a liter of Octane 95 petrol increased by Rs. 25, rising to Rs. 365. The price of a liter of Auto Diesel increased by Rs. 22, setting its new price at Rs. 303, and the price of a liter of Super Diesel increased by Rs. 24, setting its new price at Rs. 353. In addition, the price of a liter of kerosene also increased by Rs. 13, with its new price being Rs. 195.