• This may be the only option we have. If mill owners act regardless of the government’s price control regulations

By Kelum Bandara  

Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardane said he would seek Cabinet nod today to import 100,000 tonnes of rice if leading mill owners continued to hoard stocks and increase prices unwarrantedly. 

The Minister told Daily Mirror that he would take steps to import Samba rice from India in time for the Sinhala New Year in April unless leading mill owners cooperated with him to stabilize prices.   “This is the only option we have. If these mill owners act regardless of the government’s price control regulations, we will take steps to import rice from elsewhere,” he said.