• Control prices to remain 

In a bid to stabilise soaring rice prices and curb the oligopoly of large-scale rice mill owners, the Government announced plans to buy paddy directly from farmers beginning next season. 

This was revealed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Livestock, Irrigation, Fisheries, and Aquatic Resources Secretary M.P.N.M. Wickramasinghe, during a press conference held yesterday (28). According to Wickramasinghe, the Government intends to procure between 300,000 to 400,000 metric tonnes of paddy under the guidance of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. This substantial purchase is aimed at reducing the dependency on a few influential rice mill owners, who currently exercise significant control over pricing. “Steps are being taken to buy paddy directly from farmers, as controlling the autonomy enjoyed by a few large-scale mill owners is crucial for addressing the issue of rising rice prices,” stated Wickramasinghe. He explained that the Government is committed to expanding storage facilities to support this initiative and ensure successful implementation.

In addition to the new purchasing strategy, Wickramasinghe emphasised that the Government would not lift the current price control on rice, which stands at Rs. 220 per kilogram. This price ceiling, he asserted, is essential in safeguarding consumers from exploitative pricing.

He further disclosed that recent surveys conducted by the Consumer Affairs Authority indicated that the current rice shortage is largely artificial, driven by market manipulation rather than actual supply-related issues. He highlighted the need to address these artificial shortages, adding that strengthening the Paddy Marketing Board is a priority to ensure fair practices in the rice market. 

He reiterated the Government’s commitment to addressing the challenges within the rice supply chain, emphasising that these measures are directed at supporting both consumers and farmers while reducing undue influence from large-scale millers.