PNM, MLP welcome flour price increase

The Patriotic National Movement said Wednesday they welcomed the increase of wheat flour price as the increase of price of wheat flour products including bread would encourage people to turn to rice and rice flour products. This would be a boost for national rice production.

In a press release PNM said the country spends a huge sum of money to import wheat flour and steps should be taken to increase the consumption of rice and to make rice flour available at reasonable prices.

Meanwhile, the Mawbima Lanka Padanama in a press release yesterday said the increase in wheat flour price was a salutary decision that would help national economic growth. However, certain sections of the trade acted to bring down the purchasing price of paddy but steps should be taken to ensure that farmers get a reasonable price for their produce.

The Government should stop the consumption of bread and wheat flour products in government hospitals as well as in all government institutions and introduce rice consumption.

Diseases like diabetes and gastritis had increased among the population with the consumption of bread and other wheat flour products. Therefore people should be encouraged to consume rice and rice flour products, the release also said.