Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena says that without foreign exchange, the country will not be able to import drugs and the people will die without food.

Therefore, the import-export process and public exchange should continue under any circumstances, he said.

He said that if the country did not export the tariffs, it would not be able to bring in the required foreign exchange and the people would die without the necessary medicine or food.

He also called for the closure of any store under the current circumstances but not to stop the import-export process and public exchange.

He added that the increase in commodity prices could not be stopped as the country was closing down and therefore the shops would not be affected even if they were closed but essential services would be maintained and Pettah would not be closed for any reason.