Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena says that it is a complete lie spread by the rice mafia that the price of rice has increased drastically.
“This is a complete lie that the rice mafia is carrying saying that the rice prices have been increased. Today a kilo of Kekulu is being sold at Rs. 100 in the market. A kilo of Nadu is currently is being sold at Rs.105. A kilo of samba sells for Rs.118. When it comes to retail prices, there is a transport cost of Rs. 2.05 – 3.00 when going to other provinces. If you give an extra bag, the cost of that bag is Rs. 3.00 – 3.50. Then there is the profit of a retailer. The CWE has set the highest fair price at which all these can be collected and sold. Nadu is sold at Rs. 105 at Sathosa. Samba will be sold at Rs.108 from today.”
Minister Bandula Gunawardena was speaking to the media after inspecting rice wholesalers in Pettah yesterday (29).
However, in general, rice is still being sold in the retail market at a much higher price than what the Minister says.
