President Maithripala Sirisena has directed officials to declare maximum retail prices on local and imported rice.

He also directed Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen to maintain 100, 000 metric tons of rice in government stores, to be used when required.

President Sirisena emphasized that there should be no shortage of rice in the market and that appropriate mechanism should be implemented promptly to provide rice to the public at subsidised rates.

The President further said that the tax reliefs afforded rice importers should be given to the public as well.

He made these orders during a meeting with rice mill owners and rice importers at the Presidential Secretariat, today (14).

Ministers Ravi Karunanayake, Rishad Bathiudeen, P. Harrison and the Secretary to the President P. B. Abeykoon participated in the discussion.