Rice shortage; Govt lifts import restrictions

• Minister urges large-scale rice millers to release stock

 By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama

While urging the large-scale rice millers to release their rice stocks to the market, the government yesterday announced that as an alternative solution to the rice shortage in the country, a decision has been taken to allow the import of rice without import control permits until December 20, 2024 with immediate effect.  

Cabinet Spokesman, Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said that the Cabinet considered temporarily lifting the existing restrictions on the import of rice, in view of the current shortages, including Nadu and other rice varieties in the domestic market as well as the damage caused to paddy cultivation due to the recent adverse weather conditions.  

He also said that the government has decided to import rice, working in collaboration with small-and medium-scale rice millers.  “The recent adverse weather conditions have caused significant challenges.

Dr. Jayatissa further said that no decision has been made to remove the price control on rice, nor have there been any discussions about reducing the tax on rice imports. However, the government is moving forward with measures to manage the situation effectively.   The government’s ultimate goal is to ensure that rice is made available to the public at an affordable price.