Business
Excessive price controls will worsen shortages
New measures treating the symptoms rather than the disease
Harsh enforcement of price controls may worsen food shortages.
The Commissioner of Essential Services has been granted the power to seize food stocks held by traders and retailers and regulate prices.
There is serious concern with the steep rise in the price of essentials which has taken place over the past two years. Advocata’s Bath Curry Indicator (BCI), which tracks commonly consumed items, shows a 30% increase in retail food prices in August 2021 compared to August 2020.
The reasons for the increase in prices include import restrictions and tariffs that have disrupted markets. The classic example is turmeric that retailed at Rs.650 per kg prior to the import ban but now retails at Rs 3500 per kg according to the DCS and at around Rs 4400 to Rs6900 on online retailers . Other products are similarly affected.
The recent ban on fertiliser is likely to result in even further increases in the prices of vegetables and cereals over the forthcoming harvests. These restrictive policies have been compounded by the acute shortage of foreign currency caused by the on-going balance of payments (BOP) crisis. Lack of foreign exchange has imposed additional restrictions on imports resulting in shortages causing prices to spike.
While the increases in prices is a real concern, the causes are complex and are largely due to poor policies.
The balance of payments crisis arises not due to trade policy but due to the levels of aggregate demand in the economy, principally through consumption and investment influenced by the prevailing fiscal and monetary policy. The tax cuts towards the end of 2019, fiscal dominance of monetary policy and non-pass through of global commodity prices through price controls and administered prices have contributed towards excess import demand.
This is evident in the trade data: despite the stringent import restrictions imposed after April 2020, import demand for the six months to June 2021 have surged by 30% over the same period in 2020. While exports in the period have also risen, it is the rapid rise in imports that have caused the negative trade balance.
Price controls and administered prices have led to shortages and hoarding.
Instead of addressing the problem at the root, the government is trying to control the symptoms. Previous attempts at price controls have not succeeded as Advocata’s research in 2018 has shown but better enforcement is not the solution. Instead, the Government should address the policy weaknesses that are the cause of the problem.
Trying to negate policy missteps in fiscal and monetary policy through trade policy in an untenable exercise for it impacts economic efficiency hence growth and productivity and also leads to issues with economic distribution.
Harsh enforcement of price controls could in turn create black markets resulting in significant welfare losses in the form of a deterioration in product quality, elevate scarcities, disadvantaging the poor who are less sophisticated and in the long run lead to higher prices, lower output due to lower investment.
We urge policy makers to urgently address the root cause of the current crisis by increasing tax revenues via more progressive tax policies – by increasing the tax base for both direct and indirect taxes and reducing the tax gap through greater tax effort. Further, it is best where possible to use well targeted cash transfers to vulnerable segments of the population to improve affordability instead of cutting taxing, imposing price control or using administered prices on utilities.
Key Points
Advocata Institute highlights the negative effects of harsh price controls.
The root causes of the present crisis lies in loose monetary and fiscal policies compounded by import controls and exchange control restrictions. Therefore restoring macroeconomic stability is a priority.
Cash transfers to vulnerable segments is a better mechanism to implement distributive policies rather than intervening in market prices through tax subsidies, price controls or administered prices.
Advocata is an independent policy think tank based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. We conduct research, provide commentary and hold events to promote sound policy ideas compatible with a free society in Sri Lanka. Visit advocata.org for more information.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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