Rishad’s Surprise Visit to Vavuniya Sathosa

Minister of  Industry and Commerce  Rishad Bathiudeen  has made  a  surprise  visit to Vavuniya yesterday (13).  He has advised the staff  to  ensure  distribution of  rice  and other items  without causing  any shortage.  When speaking to the press  he said, that  there was  reduction of paddy production  due to draught.  Further, adding  fuel to fire   rice millers  hoarded rice  and created  artificial  shortage  in the market in the past. The  Government took  all possible steps to ensure  free flow of  rice in the market  by importing  250,000 Metric  tons  of rice.  Rice millers said, that they cannot  produce and sell rice  below  the cost.  There will be a meeting  between the rice millers and the President Maithripala Sirisena  to resolve  the issue of  revising control prices . Until such time Sathosa is duty bound  to issue rice on control prices  to the public.