Estate residents in the Balangoda area are voicing concerns about their inability to celebrate Thai Pongal, the Tamil New Year festival, due to the soaring prices of red rice, a key ingredient for Pongal milk rice.
According to locals, the price of a kilo of red rice has surged to 300 rupees in some shops, while the regular price hovers around 250 rupees. The scarcity of chicken rice, another staple, has further exacerbated the situation.
Residents lament that even when they manage to find rice in the city, the high cost of bus fares—250 rupees for a round trip, pushes the total cost of a single kilo of raw rice to 400–500 rupees.
The Thai Pongal festival holds great cultural significance, and its celebration traditionally involves cooking and sharing Pongal milk rice. However, the current rice shortage and inflated prices have cast a shadow over this cherished festival for many estate communities.
Residents are urging local authorities to intervene and ensure the availability of rice at reasonable prices, enabling them to celebrate the festival with dignity and joy.
