He made these remarks during a meeting with the rice mill owners and the rice importers, held at the Presidential Secretariat, yesterday (14th Feb.).

The President further said that the tax reliefs given for importing rice into the country should be given to the public at their maximum level.

“It is the responsibility of all, to provide rice at a concessionary rate to the public without leaving any room for a rice shortage in the market”, the President added.

The President directed officials to declare maximum prices for local and imported rice.

He also directed the Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen to take action to maintain 100,000 metric tons of rice in government stores to be used at any time.

The proposals for the solutions for the issues faced by the owners of rice mills and also the problems about the price of rice were presented to the President during this meeting.

Ministers Ravi Karunanayake, Rishad Bathiudeen, P. Harrison and the Secretary to the President P. B. Abeykoon participated at the meeting.