A comprehensive operation has been launched across Sri Lanka to uncover concealed rice stocks amid growing public concern over shortages. The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), led by Chairman Hemantha Samarakoon, is spearheading the initiative to address allegations of intentional hoarding by wholesalers and mill owners seeking to inflate prices for illegal profit.
Chairman Samarakoon emphasized that Nadu rice, in particular, has been stockpiled to create an artificial scarcity in the market, driving up consumer prices. The ongoing raids aim to identify and penalize those responsible for hoarding rice, thereby restoring balance to the disrupted supply chain.
As the rice shortage persists, the government has stepped in with plans to import 70,000 metric tons of Nadu rice from India. This measure is expected to stabilize the market and alleviate consumer hardships.
The operation comes at a critical time when public frustration over food prices is mounting, with officials under pressure to ensure essential goods remain accessible and affordable for all citizens.
