December 23, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Customs has officially announced that rice imports into the country will be prohibited until a relevant Gazette notification is published.
The move comes in the wake of the expiration of the rice import period allocated to the private sector on December 20, during which 67,000 metric tons of rice were brought into the country.
While the government recently extended the rice import period until January 10, 2025, Sri Lanka Customs has made it clear that imports cannot be processed or released into the local market until the Gazette notification is formally issued.
This means that, even with government intervention, no rice imports can be approved or distributed without the necessary legal framework in place.
Meanwhile, a government-imported stock of 52,000 metric tonnes of rice is expected to arrive in the country within the next few days.
This stock, which is being imported through government channels, aims to address the ongoing rice supply concerns.
However, Customs has reiterated that these imports cannot be released into circulation until the official Gazette notification is made public.
Government sources have indicated that the much-anticipated Gazette notification, which will provide the legal basis for rice imports, is expected to be issued after the Cabinet meeting scheduled for today (23).
