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A wedding ring pawned to buy some bread Queue at a pawn shop. Pic by M.A. Pushpa Kumara Source:Sunday Times Treasured gold jewellery such as wedding rings and children’s panchaudas (protection talismans) were taken to pawn shops this week by scores of desperate people when travel restrictions were lifted after weeks of lockdown. Long queues were seen at pawning centres both in cities and villages. While most women turned away when approached by a reporter, some waiting to enter the shops were vocal about the growing cost of living. Single mother D. Samanthi from Nugegoda said she used to work at a salon but now has no income for the household. ...