Imports of 100,000 Metric Tonnes of Rice up to Next April 

In order to lower the prices of rice to a level affordable to the consumer during the festive season, the Cabinet Subcommittee on Economic Management headed by the Prime Minister has decided to import 100,000 metric tonnes of rice monthly until the next Sinhala and Tamil New year.

The Government has also decided to grant permission to any private organisation to import rice to make ample stocks available in the market during the festive season.  The government is to grant relief to the importers who will have to bear additional costs including import duty and storage costs.  The validity period of special tax of 25 cents imposed on a kilo of imported rice has been extended till March 31, 2018.