January 22, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has announced that military personnel will be deployed to monitor and ensure compliance in rice mills that fail to adhere to government regulations.
This statement was made during a special television programme broadcast on the evening of January 21.
The President expressed serious concerns over the operations of certain large-scale rice mills, emphasising that if these mills do not follow the government’s directives, the military will be tasked with overseeing the transportation of rice from the mills to the designated storage facilities.
President Dissanayake highlighted the importance of rice as a crucial national resource, reiterating that the government has been keen to regulate the sector in a fair and transparent manner.
“Rice is a national asset, and it is vital that it is handled in a way that serves the best interests of the people,” he remarked. “We have taken every measure to ensure that the policies being implemented are just and reasonable, without any form of unfair regulation.“
The President’s remarks come amid growing concerns over rice shortages and price fluctuations in the country, and the government has been taking steps to streamline the supply chain to ensure that rice reaches local markets in a timely and equitable manner.
The deployment of military personnel to oversee rice mill operations reflects the government’s commitment to maintaining order and safeguarding the nation’s food security.
With rice being a staple food and a critical commodity in Sri Lanka, the government is determined to prevent any disruptions in the supply and to maintain control over the distribution process.
