“We will use it as an intervention tool to control prices in the market,” Batagoda said.

He said the Government has several arms under it, which helps to intervene in the market to control unwarranted price hikes.

The Director General added, the “Lak Sathosa” and the “Paddy Marketing board” as two of those entities.

According to him “Litro Gas” will play a similar role in controlling domestic gas prices in the market which is becoming an essential item.

However, he did not rule out running the entity as a profitable venture.

He added that steps will be taken to balance both objectives such as “making profits” and “controlling prices”.