Nearly 12,000 hotels, state and private restaurants and bakeries in major cities across the country have been completely shut down due to a shortage of gas.

He added that the number of restaurants closed due to gas shortages in government institutions, schools and universities is around 4,000.

In addition, between 5,000 and 6,000 wade, pea and samosa shops in major cities, including Colombo, have been closed due to shortages of gas and rising prices of raw materials. And said a situation had arisen where restaurants could not be maintained.

The Bakery Owners' Association says there are about 7,000 bakeries in the country, of which about 3,500 have been shut down due to a shortage of gas and raw materials.

The union warns that other bakeries could close in the future if relief is not forthcoming.