“We want to act fast on Prime Minister Ranil Wickremeshinghe’s directive. The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) will take action against errant rice sellers” said Minister Bathiudeen today (19 Dec.). Minister Bathiudeen is moving Lanka Sathosa retail chain under his Ministry to support the rice consumer.

Minister Bathiudeen today also instructed his officials to import 10,000 metric tonnes of rice and to buy 20,000 metric tonnes of paddy (both White rice and Nadu) from the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) immediately, starting 19 December.

He then instructed Cooperatives Wholesale Establishment (CWE) under his Ministry to make arrangements to mill them at its earliest. The CWE is expected to start paddy purchase from PMB today and thereafter start releasing this paddy to both government and private sector millers for processing. This freshly milled rice from millers will then be released to Lanka Sathosa, thereby successfully stalling any price increases. The freshly milled rice will be sold by Lanka Sathosa at a competitive Rs 78 per kilo.

Previously on 14 December, the Ministerial Committee on Economic Management headed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe gave the go ahead to import new rice volumes up to 250,000 metric tonnes to meet the demand in the market. It is under this mandate that Minister Bathiudeen is moving his officials on December 19 so that national rice supplies are strengthened, resulting in a grand festival atmosphere.