Use scientific method to purchase harvest from next season: Prez

Insists that the general public should benefit from price controls imposed by the govt.

By Chaturanga Samarawickrama  

Addressing the Cabinet Sub Committee on Cost of Living for the first time at the Presidential Secretariat, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed officials to follow a scientific method to purchase harvest from the next season. 

During the meeting on Tuesday, special attention was drawn to provide essential food items for the public during the upcoming festive season at a concessionary rate without shortage.   
 Furthermore, the President pointed out that several issues raised during the process of paddy purchasing would be resolved through this procedure and attention was drawn to broaden rice storage facilities across the country.   

 The President also inquired about how the public would receive the benefit after the rice prices are controlled by the government.   

 The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) revealed that selling rice at prices higher than the Maximum Retail Price was gradually decreasing and the raids on rice traders selling rice at higher prices had increased.   

 An assessment was held regarding the steps taken by the government to control wheat flour price as well as regarding the tax reliefs given for the other essential food items.   
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Ministers and MPs including Chamal Rajapaksa, Ramesh Pathirana, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Vidura Wickramanayake, Sanath Nishantha, Taraka Balasuriya, Secretary to the President, P.B. Jayasundera, Ministry Secretaries and public servants participated on this occasion.     

An assessment was held regarding the steps taken by the government to control wheat flour price as well as regarding the tax reliefs given for the other essential food items