Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva has instructed officials to spend about 45 percent of the food provided at the port on cashew nuts and to replace cashews in the meal.
During a discussion between the Minister and the Ports Trade Unions yesterday (16th) the Minister of Trade Unions pointed out that 5000 lunches a day and 3500 dinners are prepared in the port kitchen and one meal is close to Rs. 450.
The employees have also told the Minister that the port kitchen, which was built in 1976, has not been physically renovated since then. They have pointed out to the Minister that the gas stoves in the port kitchen are very old and therefore gas is wasted.
The Minister has instructed the Deputy Chairman of the Ports Department, Gayan Alagiyawanna to take steps to rectify the situation when the Minister finds out that there are 169 employees working in the port kitchen but they do not have proper sanitation facilities.
