25 December 2019 01:11 pm
While addressing the first Cabinet Sub Committee on Cost of Living at the Presidential Secretariat, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday instructed the officials to follow a scientific method to purchase harvest from next season.
During the meeting, special attention was drawn to provide essential food items for the public during the upcoming festive season at the 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 the rice storage facilities across the country.
The President also inquired about how the public would receive the benefit after the rice prices 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 been increased.
An assessment was held regarding the steps taken by the government to control the 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 the occasion. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)