Colombo restaurants ‘out of frying pan into the fire’ 

• CCRC President Harpo Gooneratne says 10-15% decline in business in festive December due to supply chain constraints
• Claims restaurants struggling to experience a proper business streak to keep industry afloat
• Restaurants limit venue operations, whilst some have closed

By Charumini de Silva

Grappling amidst COVID-challenges, price escalations across supply chains, fuel hikes and a gas shortage has now tossed the Colombo City Restaurants Collective (CCRC) ‘out of frying pan into the fire’ during the peak business time of the year. 

“It’s chaos,” CCRC President Harpo Gooneratne told the Daily FT.

He said the restaurants in Colombo were once again hampered by supply chain constraints and price escalations on all fronts, at a time “they just thought of experiencing a resurgence in business during the festive period following two unfortunate years back-to-back”.

Gooneratne said the restaurants collectively had experienced a 10-15% decline in their business during the December festive season, following supply chain constraints. 

“Since the devastating Easter Sunday attacks in 2019, we are still struggling to experience a proper business streak to keep our industry afloat,” he said, adding that some of the members have limited their venue operations, whilst others have closed restaurants.

With the latest stumbling block, the short supply of Liquified Natural Gas (LPG), he said it has now come to a point where restaurants no longer can plan ahead with a new challenge being posed every day.

“One day we don’t have fruits and vegetables, next day the prices of what’s available is sold at absurd prices, day after fuel prices are up and now we don’t have gas to cook — at the best time of our business season as well as when people were vaccinated.”

He said that they have now been promised by LPG companies to deliver necessary cylinders as soon as possible.

Gooneratne pointed out that closure of the restaurants during the outbreak of COVID-19 for months resulted in serious financial and employment difficulties, and that they were desperate to get their businesses up and running as soon as possible under strict health guidelines.

CCRC is the apex body representing the food and beverage industry in Colombo and its members have been requested to continue their service and commitment to doing what’s right to protect their customers and associates, while maintaining the highest levels of hygiene and safety.

“It is important to manage the situation well to overcome this unprecedented crisis effectively. I am confident in our members as they have been quite resilient amidst all these challenging situations. We will ensure to serve the best quality, favourite restaurant dishes to our customers,” Gooneratne said, ending on a positive note.