• 100,000 tonnes of rice to be imported 
• No price hike of wheat flour, powdered milk, and cooking gas

By Kelum Bandara 

The Cabinet decided yesterday not to proceed with the proposed price hikes on cooking gas, wheat flour, and milk powder but resolved to scrap the maximum retail price on rice, Daily Mirror learns.

The mill owners will be able to release their stocks according to prices determined by the market forces.
Besides, the Cabinet gave approval for the Trade Minister to move ahead with the import of 100,000 tonnes of rice to maintain a buffer stock to control prices if necessary.  The Cabinet also decided to release US  dollars from the reserves to finance the release of 800 containers of essential items stuck at the Colombo port.