We had already extended credit to companies and firms through the Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and this was working well. 25,000 from a party to whom we were compelled to give credit due to intense political pressure. If the thousands of wholesale and retail points could not be stocked on a continuous basis, there would not be food available. If it went on for 48 hours, there would have been a complete breakdown in food supplies leading to riots and serious civil unrest. There was a caste system operating amongst the Sinhalese, which had become much watered down over the years.