Moves in place to stabilise rice market
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with officials from the Agriculture and Trade Ministries, along with representatives from the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB), at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (25).
The meeting focused on the current situation regarding rice prices, with extensive discussions on necessary actions. The President provided guidance on urgent measures to address the issue.
In addition, attention was drawn on developing a comprehensive database with details of rice mill owners and wholesale rice dealers.
The deployment of officers to inspect the rice stocks in the Polonnaruwa and Ampara Districts within the next few days and gathering of information regarding their pledge loans was also discussed.
Prime Minister’s Secretary Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Livestock, Irrigation,
Fisheries, and Aquatic Resources M.P.N.M. Wickremesingha, Secretary of the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, Cooperative Development, Industry, and Entrepreneurship Development M.M. Naimuddin, Consumer Affairs Authority Chairman Hemantha Samarakoon and Paddy Marketing Board Chairman A.M.U. Pinnalanda were also present.
Meanwhile, President Dissanayake, in a separate discussion with rice mill owners held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday, announced that the Government will support small and medium-scale rice mill owners in enhancing their capacity to help stabilize the rice market.
The President noted that since the Government invests significantly in promoting agriculture, irrigation, and fertilizer subsidies, these businesses have a social responsibility to provide rice to the public.The meeting included an extensive discussion on measures to enhance the capacity of small and medium-scale rice mill owners to balance the market.
The President also stressed that no businessman will be permitted to exploit the situation by unfairly raising rice prices.
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