Cheaper rice in the offing

Irangika Range

COLOMBO: The prices of red nadu and white kekulu rice have been slashed drastically in the market due to the Government’s mechanism of releasing a huge stock of imported and local rice to Co-operatives, Laksathosa branches and Welfare societies through the Food Commissioners’ Department in Narahenpita (FCD).

Trade, Marketing Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Services Minister Bandula Gunawardana told the Daily News that the Cost of Living (COL) and Food Preservation Committee Chaired by President Mahinda Rajapaksa met on Tuesday and decided to release red nadu and white rice at Rs. 56 per kilo through the FCD to provide relief to consumers.

Minister Gunawardana said that sufficient rice stocks have been received at the FCD’s stores. They will be released to the local market. Consumers can buy red nadu and white kekulu rice from Co-operatives, Laksathosa branches, Welfare Associations and the Private sector.

“There will not be any rice shortage in the future due to the Government’s mechanism on maintaining bulk rice stocks at the Government owned stores,” he said. He said that the rice price reduction would reduce the burden of ordinary mass.