Farmers groups expressed concerns about an attempt by rice mill owners to create a fear of a rice shortage in the country in a bid to increase rice prices.

Speaking about rumors about having to import rice ahead of the upcoming festive season, National Agrarian Unity Organisation's (NAUO) President Anuradha Thennakoon claimed that rice mill owners, especially large-scale rice mills, are attempting to create a shortage of rice with the aim of increasing rice prices to get undue advantages during the festive season. 

He further alleged that rice mill owners, who purchased paddy at higher prices than the prices set by the Government, are now trying to sell rice at higher prices to cover their costs.

“There is no reason for a rice shortage to occur,” he told a media briefing yesterday (12), adding that the past two farming seasons had produced around 3.5 million metric tonnes of paddy which is adequate to fulfill the country’s rice requirement until March 2026.