President Maithripala Sirisena's government today reduced the prices of 13 food items effective from midnight tonight.

Announcing his interim budget proposals, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said, price of sugar would be reduced by Rs.10 and that of Milk Powder (450g) to be reduced by Rs. 61. The new price of a packet of 450g milk powder will stand at Rs.325

"Prices of wheat flour to be reduced by Rs.12.50. Prices of bread is expected to go down down by Rs. 6," the Finance Minister added.

Price of Coriander was reduced by Rs.150/- per Kg and price of Maldive fish was reduced by Rs.200 from midnight today.  In addition to that, prices of Sustegen milk powder were also reduced by Rs.100/- per 400g.

Meanwhile, the price of canned fish was also reduced by 60 rupees.

"Apart from such relief measures, an allowance of Rs. 20,000 to be paid for expectant mothers ," Karunanayake said.

 The Finance Minister also pledged to save Rs. 2.5 billion by cutting down on the number of Ministers and their expenses. By doing away with the Deyata Kirula Exhibition, he said, the government would save Rs. 34 billion.

"To support the farming sector, 50% of the loan amounts borrowed by farmers will be waived off through the interim budget proposals," he added.

"One liter of fresh mill will be bought for Rs.70/- from previous price of Rs.60," Karunanayale said.

In addition to significant fuel price reductions which were announced last week, Karunanayake said Kerosene prices would be further reduced by Rs.6 rupees to Rs.59