Sri Lanka’s rice industry held hostage by powerful mill owners: Rehan

The rice industry in Sri Lanka is being held hostage by a handful of powerful mill owners who manipulate prices, exploit farmers and create shortages to maximise their profits, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Weligama Organiser Rehan Jayawickreme said.

Posting on his official page on X, he said, "This isn’t a market—this is blackmail!"

"These monopolists buy paddy at dirt-cheap prices, hoard it and then inflate prices for the people. Smaller millers can’t compete and are being crushed under their dominance. This system must be broken and dismantled," he added.

Jayawickreme emphasised that the state cannot afford to tiptoe around this issue any longer.

"Drastic action is needed to break their grip on the market. If they won’t play fair, the state must intervene with regulations, fines or even nationalisation if necessary!" 

He highlighted the dire consequences of this monopoly, noting that farmers are struggling, consumers are suffering and these mill owners are profiting unjustly. 

"Enough is enough. The government has a duty to protect the people—not a few corrupt oligarchs."

"This is no longer just an economic issue; it’s a matter of justice. If these monopolies are not broken, the entire country will continue to pay the price," he concluded.