‘Govt should intervene and reduce prices of rice’

(FASTNEWS | COLOMBO) – The All Ceylon Farmers Federation says the government should intervene and reduce the prices of rice promptly.

Speaking to a prominent online news portal, Convenor of the Federation Namal Karunaratne said the government should take measures to resolve the artificial demand created by a group of rice mill owners.

He noted there is an association that sells a kilogram of Nadu rice at Rs. 80 and samba at Rs. 85, adding however that they are not capable of releasing stocks to the entire country.

Karunaratne questioned why large scale mill owners can’t sell rice for the same price, while stating that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa must summon all large scale mill owners instead of going around retail stores.

Namal Karunaratne said while the government claims the cost of living committee has decided to purchase rice from mill owners to be redistributed in the market, it is not clear how the decision will be implemented.