A decision to stop importing rice

Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has decided to make a request to the Council of Ministers meeting today (August 1) to temporarily suspend the importation of rice as there is currently enough rice in the country.

The Minister stated this in a discussion held with the Agricultural Seed Importers Association this morning (Aug: 1).

The Minister mentioned that he would request the Cabinet to suspend the importation of rice into the country until December.

The Ministry of Agriculture said that rice harvesting has started in the Yala season and as much rice as the country needs has been imported based on the permission given by the government to import rice.

Also, the ministry mentioned that it has received information that rice importers have stockpiled enough on that permission.

In order to prevent the farmers from getting frustrated due to the fact that some rice mill owners are buying the rice grown by the farmers for looting the rice by the time of the harvest of the new season rice and not getting a suitable price for the rice they have grown in the midst of great difficulties. The minister mentioned that the decision will be taken.

Accordingly, the minister said that steps will be taken to submit a proposal to suspend the import of rice until next December.

Mr. Amaraweera further stated that by stopping the import of rice, it is proposed to the government to use the amount of foreign exchange left in the country to purchase inputs for the development of agriculture, such as weed harvesters, seed sprayers and tractors, water motors, etc. is