No shortage of rice in the local market: Bandula

COLOMBO (News 1st); Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena says that there is no shortage of rice in the market.

Speaking to the media after inspecting the rice warehouses in Pettah on Wednesday (29), the Minister said that an artificial shortage has been created in the country when there is no such shortage of rice.

Pointing out that by this morning, the price of rice has been increased by Rs. 5, the Minister stated that this is a tactic utilized to increase the billed amount.

Speaking further, the Minister said that merchants in Pettah continue to supply the country with essential consumer goods without any shortage and assured that there are plenty of stocks of rice.

There is Kekulu rice at Rs.108 -Rs.110 and samba rice priced at Rs. 120- Rs.122, the Minister said, adding that anyone can simply visit Pettah and purchase stocks of rice. 

Mentioning that on Wednesday (29)  there is another large stock of rice scheduled to be freed from the port, the Trade Minister said that the relevant stocks will be subsequently given to the relevant businessmen.