December 15, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Customs has instructed the re-export of a sub-standard batch of rice recently imported into the country.
The shipment, which consisted of 75,000 kilograms of rice, was found to be of inferior quality and not in compliance with the required standards.
Customs spokesperson Seevali Arukgoda confirmed that the fault lay with the company responsible for the rice shipment, and the company will be required to refund the payment for the consignment.
Despite the discovery of the sub-standard stock, Arukgoda reassured that the importer would not be blacklisted, though they would be held accountable for the poor quality of the goods.
The rice, brought in by private importers, arrived in three containers at the Port of Colombo.
Upon inspection, it was found that in one of the containers, stickers had been applied over the production and expiry dates on the rice packages, altering the original dates.
In addition, the Food Control Unit of the Ministry of Health reported that insects were discovered in the rice found in the other two containers, further compounding the quality concerns.
Arukgoda also provided an update on the overall rice supply situation, noting that approximately 6,500 metric tons of rice imported into Sri Lanka have already been successfully distributed to meet market demand.
