No Rice Price Hike During Xmas Season – Harrison

Minister of Rural Economy , P. Harrison, assured Parliament yesterday((09)  there would not be an increase in rice prices during the X’mas season as the government had retained ample stocks of rice to last until April next year.

The minister gave this assurance in response to allegations made by Chief Opposition Whip Anura Kumara Dissanayake who, on Thursday (8),charged that there would be a hike in rice prices in the coming weeks due to the government selling buffer stocks to a single mill owner outside tender procedure.

He  said the government could even import rice if necessary.
“We are quite aware that mill owners could create an artificial shortage of rice during the festive season and we know what measures are needed to tackle such a situation.  In addition, the Minister refuted claims that rice was sold at Rs 47 per kilogram to mill owners without calling for tenders, adding that rice was sold in a transparent manner at various prices in separate districts.”