President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed rice traders to provide Nadu rice to consumers at a wholesale price of Rs. 225 per kilogram and a retail price of Rs. 230 per kilogram.
During a discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat with officials from the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, as well as rice traders, the President emphasized the importance of ensuring fair pricing for essential commodities. He instructed the Consumer Affairs Authority to enforce these price regulations within the next ten days and take strict legal action against any rice mill owners who violate these guidelines.
Highlighting the government’s significant investment in the Ministry of Highways and the irrigation and agriculture sectors, the President reiterated that farmers benefit from the highest subsidies in the country. He also reminded traders that bank loans at low interest rates have been provided to facilitate the purchase of paddy, urging them not to undermine the public’s right to affordable rice.
The President announced fixed prices for various rice varieties as follows:
- Nadu Rice: Wholesale – Rs. 225/kg; Retail – Rs. 230/kg
- White Rice: Wholesale – Rs. 215/kg; Retail – Rs. 220/kg
- Imported Nadu Rice: Retail – Rs. 220/kg
- Samba Rice: Wholesale – Rs. 235/kg; Retail – Rs. 240/kg
- Keeri Samba Rice: Wholesale – Rs. 255/kg; Retail – Rs. 260/kg
President Dissanayake also questioned rice mill owners about the daily fluctuations in rice prices and directed the Consumer Affairs Authority to monitor the daily quantity of rice distributed from mills. He urged businessmen to collaborate with the government in resolving rice-related issues amicably.
The meeting was attended by Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe; Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Secretary to the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development A. Wimalenthirajah; Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation D.P. Wickramasinghe; Director General of the Department of Development Finance Malaramathi Gangatharan; Acting Director General of the Department of Agriculture Dr. S.K. Wasala; Chairman of the Consumer Affairs Authority Hemantha Samarakoon; Chairman of the Paddy Marketing Board A.M.U. Pinnalanda; Director of the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agricultural Research and Training Institute A.L. Chandika, and several other officials.
