Gazette on rice prices revoked as it was not helpful for consumers: Minister

The Government decision to revoke the Gazette notification on control of rice was made as the measures were not helpful to draw out sufficient stocks to the market, Co-Cabinet spokesman Dr Ramesh Pathirana said.

Dr Pathirana told the weekly cabinet news briefing that they believe that the removal of  the Gazette order will help to prevent any shortages of rice.

“After all, gazette notifications are not issued to stay forever”, he said.

The Government along with the Gazette notification also brought amendments last week in Parliament to increase the fines on traders who fail to sell goods at the stipulated prices.

However, the law will not apply for rice prices now as the gazette notification has been revoked.

Dr Pathirana said that Cabinet also decided to import 100,000 mt of rice by the government.

Meanwhile, farmers claimed that the rice production in the last season had dropped due to the lack of fertiliser, pesticide and weedicides during the last stages before the harvest.

The increased rice prices was issued by large scale rice trader Dudly Sirisena in Polonnaurwa.

The paddy millers in Polonnaruwa also have announced that the purchase prices of paddy too has been increased. Accordingly a kilo gram of Nadu has been increased to Rs 62.50,  Kilo gram of Samba Rs 70 and Keeri Samba Rs 180.