No need to import rice - Senior Minister

Gamini Chandrasena Katugastota Group

International Monetary Co-operation Senior Minister Dr Sarath Amunugama told a public gathering at Hataraliyedda recently that today Sri Lanka was so self-sufficient that there was no need for the country to import any rice from abroad.

He said even at the time of Sri Lanka having only a population of eight million, the country imported rice from China. But today, having a population of 21 million there is no need for the country to import rice as the country has already achieved self-sufficiency in rice. The minister was speaking at a ceremony held at Hataraliyedda inaugurate programme in Thumpane of the “Gemi Diriya” to develop to one million home gardens throughout the country.

Minister Amunugama also said that under the one million home garden programme, one hundred families at Divisional Secretariat Division level will be selected and they would be given all assistance by the government to cultivate the home garden.