The Central Bank says it has released $ 50 million to two state-owned banks to release containers of essential food items stranded at the Port of Colombo due to a shortage of dollars.

Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal says the Central Bank will work to release more containers if needed.

This was in line with a decision made at the last Cabinet meeting to secure the release of containers containing essential items, which remained stranded at the Colombo Port.

Importers were not in a position to get the containers released due to the growing foreign exchange crisis in the country.

This led to a shortage of food and other essential items in the local market.