Aruna Kumara, a Professor of Crop Science at the University of Ruhuna, has stated that there is no factual basis for claims of a rice shortage in Sri Lanka. He emphasized that according to population and statistical data, the country has adequate stocks of paddy to meet its annual rice demand.
Professor Kumara explained that Sri Lanka’s annual rice requirement is approximately 2.4 million metric tons. This amount can be easily met with the 44,000 metric tons of paddy harvested during the recent Yala and Maha seasons.
“The statistics clearly show that the required amount of paddy is available within the country,” he said, adding that these data are accurate and reliable.
Despite sufficient paddy production, Professor Kumara criticized the management of rice distribution and pricing in Sri Lanka. He pointed out that a few individuals and entities have been given the authority to make decisions regarding rice at a national level, leading to inefficiencies and a lack of proper solutions.
“This centralized decision-making process regarding a staple like rice is a very unfortunate situation,” he said, urging for reforms in the governance and management of rice in the country.
Professor Kumara also highlighted that successive governments have failed to provide sustainable solutions to rice-related challenges. Despite the availability of sufficient stocks, he argued, poor management has created artificial shortages and disrupted market stability.
The professor called for better policy-making and transparent systems to ensure that rice, a staple food for Sri Lankans, is accessible and affordable to all.
