Nihal Seneviratne, media spokesman for the Association of Importers and Traders of Essential Foods, said that about 50 containers could be released daily due to the dollar shortage.
About 1,500 containers of essential food items, including rice, dhal and sugar, are still stranded at the port, he said.
Accordingly, a discussion has been requested with the Secretary to the President Gamini Senarath and other officials to obtain the required amount of dollars to increase the number of containers discharged from the port per day, he said.
Nihal Seneviratne, Media Spokesperson of the Association of Importers and Traders of Essential Foods emphasizes that if these containers are not delivered soon releasing dollars, there will be a shortage of essential items during the festive season.