Rice imports to stabilise prices

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

THE Finance Ministry has decided to permit private rice traders to import rice to prevent soaring rice prices. This will allow rice traders to import specific consignments as deemed necessary to maintain a price stability in rice, Finance Ministry sources said.

The sources said the price of rice had gone up because wholesalers are not releasing their rice stocks from their stores. Meanwhile, Pettah Importers’ Association representatives told at a special discussion on rice prices at Temple Trees on Wednesday, that the supply of rice stocks to Pettah market was low.

This is mostly so with Samba rice, the importers pointed out.

The discussion was held with the participation of Agriculture Development and Agrarian Services Minister Maithripala Sirisena, Trade and Commerce Minister Bandula Gunawardena, Deputy Minister Siripala Gamlath and Finance Ministry Secretary P.B. Jayasundera. President Mahinda Rajapaksa presided.