Govt. imports rice to counter rising prices

The Government is to import 200,000 metric tonnes rice from Myanmar and Vietnam to prevent rice shortages in the market and to control rising prices, Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Bandula Gunawardena said.

He said that the Government has already placed an order to import rice from these countries on the instructions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. “Another 44,000 metric tonnes of imported rice, purchased by the private sector from India, Pakistan and Vietnam, will be issued to the market soon,” he said.

He said President Rajapaksa had a discussion with the High Commissioner for Myanmar to look into possible ways of importing rice at a low cost.