A decision on increasing the prices of milk powder, gas, wheat flour and cement will be made at the Cabinet meeting today.

The Consumer Affairs Authority has reportedly approved to increase the price of a kilo of milk powder by 200 rupees, the price of a 12.5 kg domestic gas cylinder by 550 rupees, the price of a kilo of wheat flour by 10 rupees and a bag of cement by 50 rupees.

A proposal prepared by the Consumer Affairs Authority was discussed at the Cost of Living Committee meeting chaired by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa last Friday (24) and its report is due to be presented to the Cabinet today.

Speaking to a Sinhala daily newspaper, Trade Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena said that the report of the Cost of Living Committee has been submitted to the Cabinet.

Accordingly, a decision in this regard will be taken at the Cabinet meeting to be held today, he said.

Importers have asked the Consumer Affairs Authority to increase the prices of milk powder, gas cement and wheat flour due to the shortage of dollars and rising world market prices.

There has been a shortage of milk powder and cement in the market for about a month due to issues arising from the foreign exchange crisis.