Lankeshwarage Mithrapala, the owner of Ratna Sahal, has strongly denied accusations made by Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe in Parliament that he is hoarding rice and benefiting from interest-free bank loans. Speaking at a media briefing in Polonnaruwa, Mithrapala refuted the claims as baseless and invited government officials to inspect his operations for transparency.
“I request the Minister of Trade to visit my institution or send a representative. I can prove the quantity of rice I produce, how much I distribute, and the stock I maintain. The claim that I have taken interest-free bank loans is completely false. There are no such banks offering interest-free loans,” Mithrapala stated.
Explaining his process, he said, “We take loans from banks to procure paddy, produce rice, and send it to the market. The money from sales is used to repay the bank. Accumulating stocks is not about hoarding; it is part of managing the yearly rice supply. If we don’t store paddy during the harvest season, how can we ensure a consistent supply of rice throughout the year? This is essential for stabilizing the market and meeting consumer demand.”
Mithrapala expressed frustration that such allegations were made publicly in Parliament, a forum he said should focus on accurate and constructive discussions. “I had to clarify this because these false statements create unnecessary suspicion. There’s no point in hiding rice—it doesn’t benefit anyone. As a producer, I must ensure supply continuity, and I only have two months’ worth of stock left to distribute by February. After that, what am I supposed to do if I divide my stock unnecessarily?”
His remarks underline the importance of clarifying operational processes in the rice industry, particularly amidst concerns about price fluctuations and shortages. Mithrapala’s challenge to the government to inspect his business practices is a bold step to address public doubts and counter claims of impropriety.
