Government should receive the support of all parties to grant a certified price to the paddy cultivator

President Mahinda Rajapakse points out that the government should receive the support of all parties in order to grant a certified price to the paddy cultivator and also ensure an affordable price for the consumer. He observes that although the government has taken many steps to maintain market prices of rice at affordable rates prices continue to hike.
 The President made these observations at a discussion at Temple Trees today with paddy mill owners, wholesale traders and rice importers regarding controlling rising rice prices.
At the discussion the President gave directions to import rice and also to immediately release 19 thousand metric tons of rice in government and private storages. President Rajapakse questioned relevant parties as to why the 75 thousand metric tons of rice imported free of tax were not sold to the consumer at fair prices.

At the discussion whole sale traders and rice importers said the cause of an increase in rice prices is an increase in rice consumption by two thousand metric tons. They said the way of reducing prices is to ensure that the market receives a sufficient supply to meet the daily rice requirement. Paddy mill owners predict that prices will drop by the end of this month as local paddy harvests will reach markets.

Speaking further President Rajapakse highlighted the need of cultivating all cultivable paddy fields. He gave directions to ensure that farmers are provided necessary security to cultivate in the eastern province.

At the discussion Minister Maithreepala Sirisena said rice importers and paddy mill owners should submit a report to the government every three months regarding a stocks they possessed. He said the government should be allowed to inspect stocks at any time. Minister Bandula Gunawardena said one reason for rising prices is retail and wholesale traders attempting to generate an unfair profit. He assured that measures have been taken for the systematic distribution of rice stocks through cooperatives.        
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