Minister of Agriculture K.D. Lal Kantha has announced that Sri Lanka will begin importing rice from India due to a shortage of rice in the local market. Speaking to the media at his ministry, Lal Kantha explained that the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Trade will submit a joint cabinet paper to facilitate the importation.
Lal Kantha noted that while the country’s paddy production is sufficient, the rice is not reaching the market, and the stocks that are available are largely controlled by large-scale mill owners. This situation has led to a supply crisis, which the government is now addressing through imports to ensure that both farmers and consumers are not disadvantaged.
Acknowledging the challenges the country faces, the minister admitted that the government does not have permanent solutions but is responding to the situation as it arises. “We are working based on the needs of the moment,” he said, reflecting the government’s reactive approach to the current rice shortage.
His comments highlight the ongoing struggles in managing Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector, which has faced multiple setbacks in recent years. The government’s decision to import rice from India is seen as a temporary measure to stabilize supply and pricing until local production issues can be resolved.
