9 January 2021 12:00 am
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa this week instructed the relevant authorities to take steps to provide credit facilities to small and medium-scale rice producers.
He gave this instruction while participating in a discussion with the representatives of the All Ceylon Small and Medium Scale Rice Growers Association, held in two committee rooms in Parliament.
The Prime Minister instructed the authorities to take steps to resolve the problems of small and medium-scale rice producers before the problems of large-scale rice producers.
The discussion was held on the basis of several demands, including obtaining a fixed control price for rice, which will be updated for six months from February 1, according to the prevailing guaranteed paddy prices in the country.
Attention was also drawn to provide facilities for small and medium-scale paddy mill owners to repay their loans at concessional rates.
Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena, State Ministers Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Shehan Semasinghe, Indika Anuruddha, Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Sashindra Rajapaksa, Finance Ministry Secretary S.R. Attygalle, Additional Secretary to Prime Minister Attorney-at-Law Chaminda Kularatne and heads of state banks were present.