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Following discussions with rice traders, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has announced new price ceilings for various types of rice, as outlined by the President’s Media Division (PMD).
The President instructed rice traders to set the wholesale price of Nadu rice at Rs. 225 per kilogram and the retail price at Rs. 230 per kilogram.
Additionally, the President directed the Consumer Affairs Authority to rigorously monitor the implementation of these price caps over the next ten days and take strict legal action against rice mill owners who fail to comply.
These directives were issued during a meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat on the 7th, involving officials from the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development, alongside rice traders, according to the PMD.
During the discussion, the President emphasized that the government allocates significant funds to the Ministry of Highways, as well as the Irrigation and Agriculture sectors, and provides substantial subsidies to farmers.
He also highlighted the availability of low-interest bank loans for traders to procure paddy, urging them to uphold the public’s right to access rice at reasonable prices.
The revised rice prices are as follows:
- Nadu Rice: Wholesale price Rs. 225/kg, Retail price Rs. 230/kg
- White Rice: Wholesale price Rs. 215/kg, Retail price Rs. 220/kg
- Imported Nadu Rice: Retail price Rs. 220/kg
- Samba Rice: Wholesale price Rs. 235/kg, Retail price Rs. 240/kg
- Keeri Samba Rice: Wholesale price Rs. 255/kg, Retail price Rs. 260/kg
The President expressed strong disapproval of the frequent fluctuations in rice prices imposed by rice mill owners and instructed the Consumer Affairs Authority to keep a close watch on daily rice production and distribution activities.
He also encouraged rice traders to work collaboratively with the government to address rice-related challenges amicably.
The meeting was attended by several key figures, including Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe; Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Secretary to the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development A. Wimalenthirajah; Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands, and Irrigation D.P. Wickramasinghe; Director General of the Department of Development Finance Malarmathy Gangatharan; Acting Director General of the Department of Agriculture Dr. S.K. Wasala; Chairman of the Consumer Affairs Authority Hemantha Samarakoon; Chairman of the Paddy Marketing Board A.M.U. Pinnalanda; and Director of the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agricultural Research and Training Institute A.L. Chandika, among others.
PMD
