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In response to growing concerns over the scarcity of red rice in the local market, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe has assured the public that the situation will soon improve.
Making a special statement to the media, Minister blamed previous administrations for the crisis.
He attributed the problem to years of mismanagement, emphasizing that better policies could have prevented the current predicament.
The Minister also criticized a controversial policy implemented by the previous government, which distributed 20 kilograms of red rice to households indiscriminately.
“Red rice is an essential food item, especially during the Thai Pongal celebrations, and we are aware of the anxiety caused by this shortage. Plans are afoot to stabilize supply ahead of upcoming harvests,” Samarasinghe stated.
According to data shared by the Minister, red rice cultivation in Sri Lanka is mainly concentrated in the Southern and Eastern provinces, including Matara, Galle, and Hambantota. Despite cultivating over 277,000 hectares during the Maha season of 2024 and producing around 706,000 metric tons of paddy, the market still faces supply issues.
The Yala season that followed added another 403,097 metric tons, yet logistical failures disrupted proper distribution.
Looking ahead, Samarasinghe highlighted that preparations for the 2025 Maha season are already underway, with 161,067 hectares planted and a projected yield of over 648,000 metric tons.
He expressed confidence that supply will normalize in the coming months.
Mohamed Tuesday, 14 January 2025 08:13 PM
Its time to sit and get the necessary strategies in place instead of blaming the previous regimes. We already know what you are blaming, what we are looking for is action plan and clear strategies for the present and future. Remember, your talking now no longer valid, actions will speak for itself. Lets get into that.
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Dr. Dee esquire Tuesday, 14 January 2025 08:18 PM
What a stupid statement coming from a minister!
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karolis Tuesday, 14 January 2025 08:19 PM
We have been eating rice before you came to power. Lying seems to be inherent in Malimawa
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Citizen2023 Tuesday, 14 January 2025 08:29 PM
Don't go on blaming the past governments, instead fulfill the promises given by them to the ppl on the political stage prior to the election. NPP should know that it has been given a massive mandate by the ppl and they should know to handle and find ways to solve the problem in the country. Blaming game is childish when they claim they have enough intellectuals and economists in their govt.Not Red and Nadu rice available in the market for the Pongal festival is a daring failure of the govt. People are disappointed that as promises made by the govt to reduce the Electricity tariff has not been fulfilled todate and losing confidence in the govt.
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Rathnavali Tuesday, 14 January 2025 08:32 PM
Mr. Minister, you have been in the 'hot seat' for 100 days. It is sheer stupidity to blame the previous regime when it is you and your government's incapability and inefficiency which has created the present problems in the country. In the past, you and your supporters were professionals in protesting, finding fault of the incumbent government and putting people onto the streets. You never understood the difficulties of governance. Now when it is suddenly your responsibility, you realize that you are clueless! That is the reason for the present predicament in the country. So stop finding excuses for your inefficiency. When Ranil took over during the financial crisis, if he acted like you and blamed the mismanagement of Gota and Rajapakshas without focusing on what needs to be done, we would have ended up like Somalia; no electricity, no gas, no food, riots all over, with you people eternally protesting on the streets!
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Yohan Tuesday, 14 January 2025 08:45 PM
What were you doing when in the opposition. Just making lies after lies without planning to run a country. Now people have given these jokers the power and blaming previous governments when ever the npp fails. Wasantha is an utter failure who failed four rice tenders successfully. He may have done this purposely to get commission or his weakness. Please resign and go home before people start doing the same that was done for Gota who is also an utter failure.
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Roger Tuesday, 14 January 2025 08:45 PM
Don't tell bull shit. Release the stocks to the market or resign. CAA has said nobody is HOARDING rice. You came with thousands of promises.
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johan Tuesday, 14 January 2025 08:48 PM
You can't blame always the prev.govt. You should have studied the case and imported the required quantities from Burma, India and other cultivating countries. Your talk should be little but be practical in everything. We can guess there are certain ministers they talk too much but do little. AKD must watch over their progress
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DHA Tuesday, 14 January 2025 09:09 PM
Even after one year you'll guys will keep saying the same thing....sad to say you'll guys are good for street protesting only you people lack strategy!
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Hal Hal Tuesday, 14 January 2025 09:43 PM
Why don't you sing another tune, buddy?
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Kautilya Tuesday, 14 January 2025 10:07 PM
We all know that "Past regimes and Juntas were responsible" for the misery faced by Sri Lankans. You were elected to fix it and not to talk about the past and hide your incompetence. You were not elected to import rice and fatten the government wallet by imposing unimaginable duty. What was your share from the merchants who imported rice to Sri Lanka. You are not different from the past gang, only difference was that you were too quick to profit from the misery and hunger faced by majority of Sri Lankans.
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AJ Tuesday, 14 January 2025 10:14 PM
We pub, still doubtful of your actions against rice mafia and it’s success but believe hopefully you will sail through,that’s our intention
1 4
Niranjan Seneviratne Tuesday, 14 January 2025 10:39 PM
Minister you knew we also knew all these things you don't have to repeat this again again this is quite an embarrassment, don't humiliate AKD, either you find ways to rectify the situation if you cannot perform please step aside and give it to someone who can think out of the box and work towards resolving the matter.There 150 plus in the parliament I am sure we can find someone who can work smartly.
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ගුල්ලො ගහන්නෙ නැද්ද? Tuesday, 14 January 2025 10:41 PM
There's absolutely no logic in your statement. Even if red rice were given free earlier, how does it affect the current shortage? Does it mean that if the same rice was there till today there is no shortage of rice? Doesn't it get expired?
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Ramesh Tuesday, 14 January 2025 10:46 PM
People didn't vote for you to put blame on others. They know the previous regime caused all sorts of problems, that's why you got elected. Nothing has changed since you formed the government.
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Banda Tuesday, 14 January 2025 10:53 PM
OK. You are blaming others for everything. Past has long gone. Now show your colours or resign. What can you do to bring the situation under control e? As far as we know you are just a talk box. Can do nothing.
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Ruwan Tuesday, 14 January 2025 10:58 PM
Handle the situation rather bull talk....
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John Frazer Tuesday, 14 January 2025 11:19 PM
Please dont pass the buck to the previous government . Your leader and your team has been crtical about the gov far the last 5 years .So you all knew all the problems and issues. Now you have been in the govt for for more than 6 months . Now like headless checken your team is struggling all these issues passport , rice , food shortage ect.
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Citizen Silva Tuesday, 14 January 2025 11:33 PM
This guy a normal undisciplined trade unionist only can talk and give lame excuses. If you cannot handle the crisis which you did not foresee for the last 4 months in power, resign and go back to being a trade unionist without ruining this country further
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Peter Perera Tuesday, 14 January 2025 11:37 PM
If the new government keeps on blaming the previous government and unable to do what was promised during the campaign time, we can't expect much from the new government. The main reason we elected npp because you were going to clean up the mess and give some relief to our daily life. Yes you need more time after 3 months have passed. May me another 6 months ??
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Citizen Wednesday, 15 January 2025 01:13 AM
Minister, Time is running out we cannot keep blaming the past Governments for all our present problems. It is up to you to sort this matter in an efficient and expedient manner.
0 7
L Jaya Wednesday, 15 January 2025 01:27 AM
Good response always. Move on!!!!
8 3
Nilmini Welivita Wednesday, 15 January 2025 02:58 AM
Stop blaming previous governments, it is your incompetence that is causing very problems.
4 12
A Concerned Citizen Wednesday, 15 January 2025 03:06 AM
Dear Hon Wasantha Samarasinghe; We know it takes time to improve economy and living conditions. What about corrupt politicians and officials who had stolen billions? What about murderers of innocent citizens such as Lasantha Wickrematunge, Ekneligoda, Thadujin and Easter Massacre? Offenders are still in Sri Lanka and evidence is there. You have not taken any actions against corruption and brutal murders. At this rate in the next election do not expect even 3 NPP MPs to be elected.
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Sam Wednesday, 15 January 2025 03:32 AM
Hello Mister Minister, Kediri ganne nathuwa minisunta kanna denna. You have been in the government more than 3 months and you are still using this excuse?
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Ram P Wednesday, 15 January 2025 03:34 AM
Minister, Voters did not elect NPP to place the blame on the past governments for anything and everything. You had a reasonable period to see the availability of the consumable item/s, what the people would require for fetivities etc and make them avaialble during festive times. At least from today do some forward planning
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Nihal S Wednesday, 15 January 2025 04:06 AM
Though it is true, pls stop using the past for the ongoing problems. Come up with a plan to address them for future and present to the people. NPP Government has necessary mandate and the power for the policy changes, no excuses.
1 4
S P Wednesday, 15 January 2025 04:12 AM
Looks like rectifying the critical blunders of Gota period were not good enough, but Ranil should have ensured the possible blunders of a future juvenile NPP/JVP government too. How unfortunate we are! In fact with his foresight he did that too (by legislating so many bills) but even he wouldn’t have expected that the JVPers will fail to provide the bare minimum that any reasonable government would do let alone correcting serious issues like Economy! Like distributing their staple!
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Rishan Wednesday, 15 January 2025 05:12 AM
Don't put everything to past government. We did not had any red rice shortage before your government came into power. If you can't manage it we'll. Fly a kite and get a life.... stupid idiots...
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Joyce Wednesday, 15 January 2025 05:15 AM
Here we go again. Blaming the previous regime. You were voted because the previous regime didn't do their job, looks like you are no different to them. Stop playing the blame game, which is all that you JVP guys are good at. Didn't you know what was happening around when you gave false promises before the election.... where are all those women who were at the rallies?, do they have enough rice and has cost of living gone down as promised.
0 9
Dr Tissa Fernando Wednesday, 15 January 2025 05:52 AM
This guy and Kotatachci are a big embarrassment to AKD . Typical JVP blame mentality.
0 6
Sarath Wednesday, 15 January 2025 06:26 AM
This will be excuse for the next 5 Years of this government. "Blunders of the past regime trigger ____ shortage" fill in the blanks.
0 8
Thirumaran Wednesday, 15 January 2025 06:32 AM
No use of talking about the past, please look forward to the future and do the right thing. Reduce import duties on farm machinaries and import quality ones too. We are tired of cheap, low quality Chinese goods. Dont curse the darkness, light a candle.
0 3
Man Wednesday, 15 January 2025 06:33 AM
Now the NPP is not in the opposition. But, Anura yelled that he would blast the rice mafia in 24 hours. He now knelt before them and increased the rice price by Rs. 10/= while banging the desk. They promised to amend the IMF agreement and remove taxes particularly on essential items. Reduce the fuel prices after removing commissions and reduce the diesel price to Rs. 150/=. Blast the rice mafia. Cancel all unsolicited contracts including Trincomalee oil tanks agreement . All was to be done in a short time with the executive powers. But, nothing has been done and 7 M people still starve as Ranil's time and worse than Ranil's time. The Ranil advanced repayment process which was to be started from 2028, not changed though the IMF wanted to start from 2033. Talks only. No action. Just compare with the 100 day programme of the Yahapalan (Good) governance with no parliament power. Gota part II in operation. A disaster, indeed. What a system change indeed of intelligent 6.8 Million people.
0 9
Citizen Wednesday, 15 January 2025 06:34 AM
Past regimes have passed. It's your turn now. Don't be like previous governments, blaming past. People wanted a change. Just correct the system. Just do it.
0 2
Pusa Wednesday, 15 January 2025 06:38 AM
You are now in charge. Take responsibility like a real man instead of being a pottaya clown.
0 7
Man Wednesday, 15 January 2025 06:38 AM
Now the NPP is not in the opposition. So, Rice mills should have been raided and taken the stocks of hidden rice with the power gained by the NPP (159). With respect to the existing power agreements, take legal action to recover the loss soon without yelling it over and over again. Energy minister says that there were agreements for paying at high rates over power purchases by the CEB. That was without having proper procurement processes. So take legal action to recover the loss. No excuses please to maintain the power rates and do nothing by the NPP, so far, after being filled with so many lies one after another.
0 6
Normal guy Wednesday, 15 January 2025 06:49 AM
My goodness man. Are you this blind and lost. I think the best thing you could do as a leader is finding solutions and inform the public and comfort/build trust with them instead of acting loopy. You are clearly showing that you have no clue to govern let along running a ministry. Pathetic!
0 6
John Wednesday, 15 January 2025 06:56 AM
Shut up and deliver
0 7
Ama Wednesday, 15 January 2025 07:11 AM
RW is a good destroyer
10 0
Christo255 Wednesday, 15 January 2025 07:27 AM
Minister of Baila music. Stop the blame game talk of the present and give solutions not excuses
0 7
Lionel Kumara Wednesday, 15 January 2025 07:29 AM
Lame attempt to sugarcoat their own failures.
0 6
D.M.W.Dasanayaka Wednesday, 15 January 2025 07:41 AM
One of the jokers in the government
0 6
namal Wednesday, 15 January 2025 07:44 AM
People are given the power to resolve the people's burning issues. Please do not repeat the blunders of last regimes. you are more than 100 days in power you couldn't even resolve the food shortages that are essential to their living either importing or producing locally. We sick of hearing the excuses without delivering especially from ministers who is responsible for their subjects and the government People need actions that deliver the results. Please do not misunderstand this is not a politically motivated comment.
0 5
Kevin Wednesday, 15 January 2025 07:49 AM
Solve the problem Wasantha or get out.
0 6
Suren Sarathkumara Wednesday, 15 January 2025 07:50 AM
This guy is not suitable to this post. He is just messing up and funding excuses.
0 5
Upulpb Wednesday, 15 January 2025 08:02 AM
NPP was voted in to power by the people to stop governments doing blunders. It is time current set of ministers to act fast to ensure that the country is moving forward. According to what's visible and happening we can't see that taking place anytime soon.
0 5
Non VOTER Wednesday, 15 January 2025 08:06 AM
Very true. Those who wanted to retain/ come to power wasted our tax money and bought RICE and distributed to people who now knows who are cheating
9 0
Daisy Wednesday, 15 January 2025 08:06 AM
Yes. 20 kilos of red rice to household and Rs 29 millions to their political cronies.. ... Completely screwed the country.. Thank you seeya you did a great job.
8 0
Jagath Leanage Wednesday, 15 January 2025 08:13 AM
Minister in charge, It’s your duty to rectify them without blaming previous government. Now you are governing this sector for more than 3 months.
0 4
G E de La Motte Wednesday, 15 January 2025 08:17 AM
You guys were not voted in to play blame games but rather to correct the wrong doings of the past. Going on blaming previous governments wil only make people sick of you people. It also implies that you can't handle the issue.
0 4
YAD Wednesday, 15 January 2025 08:19 AM
For the love of God can you please stop blaming previous governments . We are all aware of the certain mismanagements . It’s your job to make sure that there is rice available now for for the civilians to purchase. It’s like you run your mouth more than finding solutions to the current problems. You are officially annoying now!
0 5
muthiah Wednesday, 15 January 2025 08:28 AM
i am sure people understand the challenges and the government needs at least an year to put things in order -let us have patience and support the government to implement the required changes
3 0
This is reality Wednesday, 15 January 2025 08:31 AM
Some salient questions come to mind Was it the previous regime that blundered with the present tenders for import of rice? Has the Minister personally counted the acreage of cultivation presently carried out and on what basis is the production calculated (natural disasters included). Is the figures quoted only for red rice or for all varieties?
1 0
Priyanee Wijesekera Wednesday, 15 January 2025 08:43 AM
During the past regimes we never heard of a rice shortage. What does the minister mean by 'blunders' ? The former govt distributed rice to the poorest of the poor and if this man does not appreciate it he must be aub human
0 6
Sam Wednesday, 15 January 2025 08:44 AM
This guy is going to tell This excuse for next five years,
0 10
BnW Wednesday, 15 January 2025 08:45 AM
If so, did you manage to resolve the problem? Or do you still think that you are in the opposition?
0 6
Ranga Wednesday, 15 January 2025 08:50 AM
Stop blaming the past come up with solutions
0 8
Terrence K Wednesday, 15 January 2025 09:01 AM
What triggered the red rice shortage is the incompetencies of the JVP/NPP not only that you fellows have been greedy for power thats why you promised so many things which you can't accomplish. From the time you all came to power you have been passing the buck to the previous regimes without troubleshooting the problems. In the past whilst there have been mess ups in handling the economy as well as pilfering the public purse the governments of the past have not totally blamed their predecessors whilst your government for the drop of a hat the easiest way out is the blaming game. When you all contested were you not aware that you had to trouble shoot the problems of this country. So you should have pre-emptive plans to address these issues otherwise why the hell did you all consent to take up governance of a sinking ship. What the public see is that your outside show hair but does not show that you have brains. !!!!!!!!
1 8
Jude Wednesday, 15 January 2025 09:15 AM
You can't blame the past regime for everything. The government should have backup plans, plan B etc. Blaming past government not gonna solve the problem. Remember, every problem has a solution some Times multiple solutions. Stop whining just get to work.
1 6
Jude Wednesday, 15 January 2025 09:18 AM
This is what happens When you put ගම් බට්ටන් in charge They lack the confidence to handle a situation. Instead of looking for solution for the problem they're looking for scapegoat!!!
1 8
Jude Wednesday, 15 January 2025 09:24 AM
NPP government lack the courage to solve burgeoning problems, period!!
1 6
Jude Wednesday, 15 January 2025 09:32 AM
Stop whining, solve the problem!! That's the very reason voters send the past regimes packing home. Hey you watch the tapes of you guys elections platform. In the lead up to the elections your Party portrayed NPP is The only Party find solutions And NPP can solve anything. Hey buddy honeymoon is over get to work otherwise your government not GONNA complete one year in power.
0 2
Jude Wednesday, 15 January 2025 09:37 AM
If you're blaming the previous regimes then it's a clear indication that this government incapable of solving burgeoning problems, yeah!!
0 3
Jude Wednesday, 15 January 2025 09:41 AM
Hey you scumbag don't ever blame the previous regimes because people voted you, mostly low class low-level people to bring solace to the battered people.
0 3
S P Wednesday, 15 January 2025 02:21 PM
JVP has been blaming the 'thattu maru kramaya' for all our ills since independence (including their own 54 years). Under that 'kramaya', we have opened the economy, built massive hydro electric/irrigation systems under Mahaweli (and other rivers), made the country self sufficient with rice, built a modern highway system, developed our country roads (from the pot holed variety we used to have), built up a world class tourist infra structure, improved our health system and increased our exports and remittances. While all this is happening we became the number 1 in the Human Development Index amongst all South Asian countries including India and got our per capita income to be the 2nd highest in the region (below tiny Maldives). All this was done without the JVP in power and in spite of their obstacles, protests, strikes, insurrections and the LTTE war. So accept your past failures JVP (with its 'facade' NPP) and at least now try to take our country forward using this opportunity!
0 2
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