News
Rice prices rise by Rs. 10; MRP revised
View(s):- Decision taken after talks between President and leading rice millers
By Kasun Warakapitiya
The government has given the green light to increase rice prices by revising the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) on selected varieties with immediate effect.
The move came following talks between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and leading paddy millers on the rice shortage in the market. At this meeting, the millers demanded an upward revision of the controlled price.
The government this week blamed rice millers for curtailing supplies to the market and creating the artificial shortage that prompted the government’s decision to import rice.
Trade and Commerce Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe told the Sunday Times last night that the MRP was revised as the millers had pointed out that they were unable to supply rice at the MRP prices gazetted in 2022 owing to the increased cost of production.
He said new MRPs had been fixed for wholesale and retail prices.
Accordingly, retail prices of three popular varieties—Nadu, white rice, and Samba—will be increased by Rs 10.
The revised prices are as follows:
n The wholesale price of a kilo of Nadu is Rs. 225; the retail price is Rs. 230 (the previous price was Rs. 220).
n The wholesale price of a kilo of white rice is Rs. 215; the retail price is Rs. 220 (the previous price was Rs. 210).
n The wholesale price of a kilo of Samba rice is Rs. 235; the retail price is Rs. 240 (the previous price was Rs. 230).
The wholesale price of a kilo of Keeri Samba is Rs. 255, and the retail price remains unchanged at Rs. 260.
The retail price of a kilo of imported Nadu rice remains at Rs. 220.
At yesterday’s meeting, President Dissanayake instructed Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) officials to closely monitor the situation over the next 10 days and strictly enforce the law against rice mill owners if they failed to comply with the fixed prices, the Sunday Times learns.
The President pointed out that low-interest bank loans had been provided to traders for the purchase of paddy and urged rice traders not to undermine the people’s right to access rice at an affordable price.
Leading rice miller Dudley Sirisena, who took part in the meeting, said the millers agreed to sell rice at the new prices until they received paddy from the next harvest.
Paddy millers have been campaigning for the revision of the MRP, claiming they were unable to provide rice to the markets in keeping with the 2022 gazette.
Following government instructions, Sathosa outlets sold rice at the 2022 MRP prices, but each customer was allowed to buy a maximum of five kilograms. However, the outlets received only about 100,000 kgs to be sold, the Sunday Times learns.
(See related story on page 18)
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