September 16, Colombo (LNW): Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne has firmly rejected concerns circulating about a potential rice shortage in the country, assuring the public that available stocks remain more than sufficient to meet national demand.
Addressing a press conference held at the Department of Agriculture in Gannoruwa, the Deputy Minister highlighted that both the previous harvest and the ongoing collection from the current season have provided ample reserves, including a steady supply of the much-discussed Keeri Samba variety.
“As of now, we have 47,500 metric tonnes of rice in storage, with a substantial portion made up of Keeri Samba,” he stated. “In addition, over 12 million kilogrammes of paddy are being stored in government-run warehouses, ready to be milled and distributed if necessary.”
The Deputy Minister went on to warn that certain unscrupulous groups are attempting to engineer an artificial shortage of premium rice varieties in order to drive prices up. “This is not a supply issue—it’s a deliberate attempt to mislead consumers and exploit the market,” he said, adding that the government has already taken steps to monitor and respond to such actions.
According to Mr Karunaratne, the Consumer Affairs Authority is currently investigating reports of hoarding and price manipulation, particularly in relation to Keeri Samba. Legal measures will be pursued against those found to be creating unnecessary panic or engaging in unethical trading practices.
The Deputy Minister urged the public not to fall prey to misinformation, reassuring citizens that the Ministry is closely monitoring the situation and will act swiftly to protect both consumers and the stability of the local food supply chain.
