The All Ceylon Small and Medium Scale Paddy Mill Owners Association has announced an agreement to increase rice prices by Rs. 10 per kilogram across most varieties.
Chairman U.K. Semasinghe commented on the development following the government’s announcement of revised rice prices.
“An agreement has been reached to sell rice at a price Rs. 10 higher than the previous rates. The gazetted prices for rice in our country were Rs. 210 per kilo for raw rice, Rs. 220 per kilo for Nadu rice, Rs. 230 per kilo for Samba rice, and Rs. 260 for Keeri Samba rice. However, starting today, a Rs. 10 increase will be applied to all types except Keeri Samba rice,” Semasinghe stated.
He expressed concerns about the decision, emphasizing that proper regulatory measures should have been prioritized over price hikes.
“What should have been done is enforcing regulations through raids on rice sales. Now that this decision has been made, we urge the Consumer Affairs Authority to initiate such raids immediately in line with the directives of the President and the government. If no action is taken, consumers in this country will face significant injustice,” he warned.
Semasinghe also pointed out the potential for exploitation, noting that large-scale mill owners stand to increase their profits further with this price adjustment. He called on the Consumer Affairs Authority to monitor and address any unfair practices by conducting inspections of shops and paddy mills across Sri Lanka.
The chairman’s statement underscores the importance of protecting consumers while ensuring fairness within the rice supply chain.
