Rice prices slashed

Chamikara Weerasinghe

The prices of rice varieties Naadu and Kekulu have been reduced from Rs. 65 to Rs.60 from today on the instructions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The price of Samba rice will be maintained at Rs.70.

Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Bandula Gunawardena yesterday said, the ceilings on new rice prices will be gazetted by him.

Minister Gunawardena also said, they have imposed a ban on import of corn (bada iringu). The ban on corn imports is also effective from March 19, he said.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has reportedly taken this decision to encourage the corn farmers who have brought increased harvests of the crop for the past few months.

The lands under corn cultivations have increased from 43,000 hectares to 61,000 hectares and the Government is expecting bumper harvests of corn from these cultivations. The projected harvest is circa 150,000 metric tonnes, according to Agriculture Ministry sources.

Consumer Affairs Minister Bandula Gunawardena said , his Ministry is also working on providing benefits to the consumer.

The Consumer Affairs Ministry has successfully opened DECs in Welisara, Veyangoda and Narahenpita.

DEC at Ratmalana has been constructed in a land belonging to the Food Commissioner’s Department in Kaldemulla Road.

It will be opened on March 24, the Minister said.