Minister of Industry and Commerce Raishard Bathiudeen re-emphasizing that there was no shortage of rice in the country said that 400,000 metric tons of rice is available at present.

He said that the recently reported rice shortage was purposely created by some parties and it was the reason to gazette the control prices.

The Cabinet of Ministers recently approved to import 250,000 metric tons of rice to deal with this fake shortage and 86,000 metric tons out of that has already been imported. The tax on imported rice was also reduced to facilitate the consumers.

According to the latest gazette issued on 17th February, the price of one kilo of imported Nadu is Rs.72, imported Kekulu is Rs.70, and imported Samba is Rs.80. Meanwhile, local Nadu is priced at Rs.80, local Kekulu is Rs.78, and local Samba is Rs.90.

Addressing media at the Department of Government Information, the minister requested the public to contact the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) on 1977 to make any complaint regarding the errant traders who hide rice stocks, exceed the control price, or sell rice not suitable for consumption. He said that legal action will be taken against such traders and also those who are not displaying the prices and the origin of rice (local or imported). Officials of CAA will continue the raids, he added.

The President has also instructed to maintain a buffer stock of 100, 000 metric tons of rice to use in case of a shortage, minister Bathiudeen further added.