Former ruling party MP Roshan Ranasinghe said there was no need to increase the price of rice as suggested by large-scale rice mill owners.

Addressing a press briefing in Polonnaruwa, Ranasinghe said the rice mill owners could not control the government. The former MP was referring to Dudley Sirisena, a leading rice mill owner and the brother of former President Maithripala Sirisena.

"But the government will control them. They can't dictate the prices anymore," Ranasinghe added.

Sirisena's rice mills were inspected by a team of Consumer Affairs Authority officials, led by its Chairman Major General (retd) Shantha Dissanayake.

Speaking to the officials, Sirisena said he could not sell rice at the regulated price set by the government due to "colossal losses. Instead, Sirisena offered to go to jail.