The Government of Sri Lanka will release a sufficient stock of cement imported from Pakistan stipulating a lowest price of Rs730 per bag (50kg) through the Building Materials Corporation Ltd in Ratmalana as a relief measure to consumers and the construction industry.

Though the Government has stipulated a Rs.785 maximum retail price for a 50kg bag of cement, under this relief measure, consumers can purchase a 50kg cement pack at Rs. 730. which is almost a Rs. 55 price reduction, Trade, Marketing Development, Co-operatives and Consumer Services Minister Bandula Gunawardhana told the Daily News.

He said the Building Materials Corporation Ltd in Ratmalana has taken steps to release enough stocks of cement to fulfil the demand.

The Minister said the Government has established the State Trading Co-operative Wholesale Company (STCWC) to import essential items and distribute them at concessionary rates for consumers.

"By considering the huge cement demand in the country, we have decided to import cement from Pakistan and provide it at concessionary rates to consumers," the Minister said.

This cement has SLS standards and is a well-know brand in Pakistan which is being produced following international quality standards.

"We will expand the cement distribution in the countrywide for the benefit of consumers," the Minister said.