Production at the Jaela Thriposha factory has come to a screeching halt due to the unavailability of maize according to reports.
According to those employed at the factory has been out of commission for the last three weeks and the staff has been asked to remain at home. In May the government imposed a controlled price on maize setting it at Rs. 55. However, the tenders already called by that time had quoted a price of Rs. 58.
Sri Lanka Thriposha Ltd., a government-owned venture had to call in tenders once again following the controlled price revision and despite calling tenders twice no tenders have been received close to the controlled price of Rs. 55 sources said.
Accordingly, the production of Thriposha and Suposha has come to a halt during the last two weeks and it is likely that providing Thriposha to pregnant mothers and infants will have to stop. The source also said a lack of Suposha available in the market is also likely.
Thriposha is provided to pregnant mothers and infants free of charge by the government while Suposha is sold in the market. The source said there is a huge demand for Suposha which brings sales revenues close to Rs. 75 million a month.
