In Pictures: Essential food shortages heap more misery on consumers

The shortage of essential items such as rice, dhal, sugar and milk powder continues to hit consumers hard in the midst of a pandemic induced island-wide lockdown. 

With most shops being closed due to the lockdown and due to the severe shortage in essential items, consumers are being forced to rely on government operated entities.

To do this, they must stand in long queues while trying their best to maintain social distancing with the knowledge that the ever present danger of the pandemic is all around them. 

Our photographer captured some of the scenes outside the Highland Milk outlet in Narahenpita this morning where consumers were waiting in long lines to purchase milk powder, which is in short supply. Due to the high demand and prevailing shortage, authorities are limiting the number of milk powder packets a person can purchase at the outlet to three. 

The other photographs were captured outside Lak Sathosa outlets in Narahenpita where crowds were lining up to purchase essential food items. 

Pix by Eshan Fernando