Rice prices to be regulated with fair rates, says Minister

The necessary arrangements have been prepared by the government to enable consumers to purchase rice varieties at fair prices such as Rs. 220, Rs. 230, Rs. 240, and Rs. 260, while controlling the recent increase in rice prices, which have risen to Rs. 270–280.

Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe stated this.

The Minister said that the average cost of converting one kilogram of paddy into rice remains at a minimum of Rs. 17.

Accordingly, the government is taking steps to regulate rice prices in a manner that is fair to both farmers and consumers.

He also pointed out that this cost has been determined based on scientific calculations carried out by the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute.

Speaking to the media, the Minister further stated:

"Every factor, from the wages of the labourer who carries sacks of paddy on his shoulder, the costs of loading them onto lorries, the wages of drivers and assistants, expenses such as tea consumed during trips, and even the wear and tear of lorry tyres, is calculated scientifically."