The import of all types of rice has been banned through a gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Finance.
The gazette signed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Minister of Finance banned the import of semi-milled or wholly milled, raw and parboiled rice to the country. However, there is an exception for basmati rice.
Goods which have been shipped before December 9 this year and will arrive before December 23 will be permitted.Rice stocks which have Letters of Credit have been opened before December 9 are also allowed to be cleared.
The gazette was issued following a request from Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera to the President stating that the country would have sufficient supply of locally manufactured rice next year. Over 600,000 metric tons of rice were imported to the country during the first nine months of this year, the Agriculture Minister said.
A Sri Lanka Air Force Bell 212 helicopter belonging to the No. 72 squadron has crashed into the Madhuru Oya reservoir this morning, Air FOrce Media Spokesman Eranda Geeganage said.
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