The government has decided to provide essential food items at concessionary prices for the upcoming New Year season. Accordingly, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, while presenting the budget proposals today (17th), stated that a food package will be provided for the festive season, allowing people to purchase essential food items at affordable prices as a supportive measure to reduce the increased cost of living. It is proposed to provide a dry food ration, including rice, canned fish, lentils, onions, potatoes, and dried fish, through Lanka Sathosa during the New Year season. A sum of 1,000 million rupees has been proposed to be allocated from the budget for the cost of providing this ration.