Every low-income family will receive 10 kgs of rice for April, May: President

21 April 2024 12:41 pm - 50 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Colombo, April 21 (Daily Mirror)- President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today that every low-income family will receive 10 kgs of rice monthly for April and May.

He said this while participating in the national rice distribution ceremony for low-income families at the Ambagasdowa Stadium, Uva Paranagama, the President's Media Division (PMD) said.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 50

Grace Sunday, 21 April 2024 01:17 PM

Please include three wheeler drivers families also.

Chris Sunday, 21 April 2024 09:29 PM

Three wheel drivers are not poor. They earn more than most executives today. Most of them are rude and crooks.

Wonky Monday, 22 April 2024 10:56 PM

Election giveaways. Rice to buy voters. Rs 50million each to buy MPs . When will game end in this foolish nation. All financed by the IMF.

Sokrates Sunday, 21 April 2024 01:40 PM

It is perfidious to abuse underprivileged poor people for your election campaign.

Gon part Sunday, 21 April 2024 02:15 PM

Wow what a caring president ! We all must get behind him to ensure his victory in the election.

10 Kgs of rice recently harvested from the Moon Sunday, 21 April 2024 02:32 PM

April is almost over. Did you mean May and June?

Ram Sunday, 21 April 2024 02:35 PM

RW, you give rice, will they vote for you. My answer is "No" Your use by date is long gone. Please Go home

Bushel Sunday, 21 April 2024 03:00 PM

Where is IMF! Did IMF advice you to manage the economy by giving free.!

Election Gimmick Sunday, 21 April 2024 03:10 PM

A new loan will be signed to give this 10kg rice. They might add additional fees for the loan to maintain their lavish lifestyle too. These are the stupid dirty tricks the typical uneducated fella will fall for and vote for these morons to ruin their life’s for the next few years.

Roberta Flack Sunday, 21 April 2024 03:10 PM

10kg of zero sincerity and 100% shrewdness. A political ploy being played with tax payer money. It’s the kind of gimmicks that has dragged this country to the depths of despair for selfish political gain. Well done RW.

ROSH Sunday, 21 April 2024 03:15 PM

Unelected master debating president giving rice to please himself poor folks who struggling to walk having spent one night stand with unelected master debating president on his double bed on mile high club

Sam Silva Sunday, 21 April 2024 06:05 PM

@rosh You keep on mentioning of unelected president and you scasim comments . This unelected president is there because all other leaders did not want to take the responsibilities after the aragalya disaster. They had all excuses and no one had the backbone to take the leadership. Him sheltering the crooks is another issue but don't throw rocks on him. Maybe you should have come forward and taken the responsibilities.

Volker Metzger Sunday, 21 April 2024 03:21 PM

Ranil, as president, has had years to make radical and lasting changes to the nutrition and daily lives of the poor for the better! This goal should have been the highest priority of his politics!!! But nothing has happened, apart from minimal social assistance that doesn't even deserve the name!!! And now he's "giving" the poorest rice for two months and thinks that this will win their votes!? Does he seriously think that people won't recognize this stupid political game!? Anyone who has spent years sparing and enriching the rich through tax policy through policies that go against the majority of the people and make them richer will be punished mercilessly in this crucial election!!!

Galpala Balusinha Sunday, 21 April 2024 03:47 PM

These are the grass for Gonnu to get vote! People get these Pin bath as you deserve them! But do not vote for foxes and elephants.

Fernando Sunday, 21 April 2024 04:21 PM

People of this country will never work hard if politicians keep offering them everything free.

TWO FACED POLITICAN WHO WAS PUT IN BY THE EX PRESIDENT GOTA, WHO RAN FOR HIS LIFE TO 3 OVERSEAS SHORT STAY ISLAND/COUNTRIES AND FINALLY HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO RETURN BACK WITH ALL FACILITIES RETIRED POL Sunday, 21 April 2024 05:15 PM

INDIRECTLY DEFECTING FROM THE UNP TO AMULGAMATE WITH THOSE WHO BROUGHT THE COUNTRY DOWN. DREAM ON RANIL, IF YOU THINK YOU CAN BUY VOTES OFF THE POOR AND DISADVANTAGED WITH 10 KGS OF RICE!!! RANIL NEEDS TO GIVE SERIOUS THOUGHT, HE MAY GET THE SAME TREATMENT. NEVER UNDERESTIMATE PEOPLES POWER.

Mahila Monday, 22 April 2024 03:13 AM

YOU ARE ABOLUTELY RIGHT AND ON THE MONEY!!? NONE OF THIS RICE MAGIC WILL COME RIGHT OR YIELD VOTES!!?? ONE AND ONLY COURSE OF ACTION, 'WEERAKETIYA BASTIAN STYLE' DOCTRINE METHODOLOGY!!?? TO ELABORATE REQUIREMENT, “SLRS 5000 (10,000 – cover inflation), ¼ BOTTLE JOHNNY GAL, CHICKEN BIRIYANI PACK”, to each and every voter!!??? Only, ‘Time-Tested One’, will enable – ‘Garner Votes’, be elected by uneducated POOR SL voters?

roni Sunday, 21 April 2024 05:42 PM

Please give more handouts. Then tax the masses and get ready to be thrown out. These free throw aways would not help your cause. People have made up their minds and counting the days for your tenure to end,

Jeanne Monday, 22 April 2024 03:17 AM

@roni : Tenure to end? What? So you think that the grass is greener on the other side? At least for now, the killings and thuggery have stopped and the President can perform on the world stage with positive results for this country. Some economics education might help you rethink your views.

SL is still Bankrupt with Mounting Unpaid Loans Monday, 22 April 2024 01:36 PM

@Jeanne - start paying the unpaid loans with the accumulated loans and see how the world will view SL. After elections, the repayments are due and will see how erratic the situation will be. Now, just buying time to get into power and continue to live the their lavish lifestyle’s and endless security and vehicle details for these morons whilst the average family is living a miserable life. Looks like you are not affected coz either living overseas or from an elite background.

Jeanne Monday, 22 April 2024 03:14 PM

@Bankrupt SL commenting here: Your assumption of my status is wrong. Very wrong.

Sam Silva Sunday, 21 April 2024 06:07 PM

Someone has to pay these so called free rice. It doesn't fall from the sky.

Onlooker Monday, 22 April 2024 03:24 AM

This is from a free gift of 2000MT from China announced on 25th March on the occasion of the 65th year of relations. Ranil is taking the credit as if he is giving from his pocket.

Senior Citizen Sunday, 21 April 2024 06:43 PM

I WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE THIS BENEFIT ... HOW DO I SET ABOUT IT ....

Gaya Monday, 22 April 2024 07:57 AM

Senior citizens are regarded as a burden to this soil. The society doesn't show gratitude for their contribution. What to do? . Let them rue their fate. This is the proud 2500 culture of this land

Jayantha Sunday, 21 April 2024 07:12 PM

This is why imf is not the solution. Imf loans further destroys countries. Specially corrupt politicians will use inf to slightly recover and then carry on uselss programs

Spartacus Sunday, 21 April 2024 07:48 PM

Whose money? Public money from those who work hard and pay taxes. Why can't those low income families work harder and earn their 10 kgm rice? It is the same with MP's. Do Public Taxes pay for your upkeep to bankrupt the nation and then give bullshit reasons after that? Can we use that money to get better honest professionals, even total foreigners, to success this country? The Public Money is not here for you to make decisions beneficial for you, or a sector of Ministers or a sector of people.

Mahila Monday, 22 April 2024 03:47 AM

Some don't understand, BUMPER HARVEST this season enables this and lack of Storage space or need to spend TAX PAYERS money to rent out warehouse space to store the excess NEAR 25,000 Tons of Rice for more than 6months - 1 year AND THEN UNDERHAND ‘GET A CUT’ – “COMMISS”!!?? WHICH OPTION IS BETTER!!?? 7-Brained Head or Ranil Wickremasinghe!? You're welcome to make your intelligent, make the choice – DISCERNED FROM YOUR COMMENT content!!?? That’s the “UNRESERVEDLY, SIGNIFICANT LEADERSHIP HALLMARK"!!?? If that’s REAL SCENARIO, what should you be DOING!!!??? “Enable to ELECT, RW as 2024, Janadhipathi of SL”, UNRESERVEDLY, without any ‘HESITATION, or VACCILIATION’ and vote HIM-IN? You’ll be WINNER, being led by PERSONAE with good Attribute and ‘SELFLESS’ commitment!!??

Mahila Monday, 22 April 2024 10:10 AM

The government is there to act to maintain Governance equitably to one and all, so that people of diverse spectrum of situations and circumstances, living in the country enjoy life to Optimum!!!??? None disputes GRANTING FREE 10 Kgs RICE TO POOR FAMILY (in Sri Lanka 4 - 6 People), as TREACHERY OR UNBECOMING, to sustain their lives sans starvation!!?? VERY WELCOME MOVE!!?? Anybody opposing is selfish attitude inculcated to masses by ill-intentioned Messiah!? That syndrome and philosophy is long past the USE BY DATE!!!??? “DUMPED BY WAYSIDE”!!!??? Anyway, it isn’t good giving 10 Kgs FREE rice, to Rich, “People who ‘RESELL’ for profiteering” – and could access Rice for their consumption!!! That, “Tom-Foolery”, HAPPENED FROM INDEPENDENCE UNTIL 10/1977, costing Billions, JRJ, intelligently confined to Bin!! Buried and sermonized!!! Unnecessary retracing those steps!!!??? IMPOSSIBLE “APPLY SAME YARDSTICK”!!??

Premalal Perera Sunday, 21 April 2024 08:13 PM

This is why the political class always wish to keep people poor and dependent. Easy to do campaigning.

Joshua Sunday, 21 April 2024 08:34 PM

That means elections are around the corner. Please take whatever they give but you know what to do at the election

Be Fair Sunday, 21 April 2024 08:35 PM

What a cheap Election Gundu

Mahila Tuesday, 23 April 2024 10:07 AM

Be Fair, "What a cheap Election Gundu", You mean '10 Kgs of FREE Rice'!! You may not be aware of the scenario, prior to 1977 or thereabouts!!! Since Independence, (under imperial rule masses were Poor), every election was on that issue - RICE SUBSIDY RATION - each household had a Ration card with details of Householders (adults/children) and each person 2 "Measures" (equal to 4 Kgs) of Rice FREE!? 1947, 1952, 1956, 1960 (March), 1960 (July) and 1965 - 6 elections and 1970 the consumer paid SL Rs 0.25 cents for the 2nd Measure!!?? The first measure still being FREE!! 1953 'HARTAL' was on stoppage, Rationed Rice!!?? Majority 65% was Imported - Egypt, China, Burma!! Thus Kotelawala’s, SL-China, R-R Pact handy 1953 Korean War!? Embargo on South American Rubber to China!? (TBC)

Mahila Tuesday, 23 April 2024 10:09 AM

(Part II) The reason JRJ made accelerated Mahaweli River Basin Diversion, Development (AMRDDP), Priority ONE and collapsed within 6 Years from the ORIGINAL 1966 Masterplan envisaging 36 years for completion, because of Funding by World Bank was so structured!!! Save USD on RICE imports and SL reached self-sufficiency in 1988!!?? JRJ, Ronnie De Mel, got “Paris Club” and friendly nations, fund the project Bilaterally (UK, Germany, Sweden, Japan major contributors – Victoria, Rantembe/Randenigala, Kotmale multipurpose Hydro-electric projects) completed to ensure self-sufficiency IN STAPLE FOODS (NO RICE IMPORTS) and enhanced electricity generation ensuring – NO POWERCUTS OR SHORTAGES!!?? SL exported small Qty 10,000 tons around 1989-1990!!??? RICE IS STAPLE CEREAL FOOD of Lankans and especially the rural poor in the Hinterland – SOLE SOURCE OF life-giving PROTEIN to Rural farmers and villagers!!?? VERY IMPORTANT COMMODITY!?

Lalith Sunday, 21 April 2024 09:02 PM

Nothing new. Was floated earlier to absorb the bumper crop harvest and assist the famers. Why is it news all over again?

M Fernando Sunday, 21 April 2024 10:46 PM

Sir, what about traditional 1/2 bottle of arrack, buth-packet and transport to the polling station ? Please confirm you will be providing these also at the proper time. Thank you

Gt Monday, 22 April 2024 12:59 AM

Buying votes using tax money should be illegal, taxing the poor 10x bags worth then giving them a bag or 2 to try fool them for votes

Ama Monday, 22 April 2024 01:24 AM

This is nothing compared to the money robbed from Central Bank BOND SCAM.

Do Perera Monday, 22 April 2024 02:22 AM

What an election gimmic? Politicians spend the government money as their own.

Jeanne Monday, 22 April 2024 03:07 AM

BORING!!! It's been done before and with disastrous results!!! Could your campaign team please come up with a more credible and more subtle way to win votes? How about youth employment or education incentives and education reforms? These will cause a positive ripple effect for years to come - not just a few months in 2024.

last chance Monday, 22 April 2024 04:11 AM

This rice is donated by a foreign funded organization to poor people in this country and this man is using that for his election propaganda works showing that he is the man behind this donation

Jayasiri Monday, 22 April 2024 04:56 AM

Every middle class and poor family should be given free rice! We also find it difficult to live.

Susan Monday, 22 April 2024 06:45 AM

He seems using collected tax money on his election campaign, this damn practice of impractical handouts for political favors main reason for bankruptcy, we love to see how much you would be successful in election

Sambo Monday, 22 April 2024 08:10 AM

This is typical Sri Lanka politics. Squeeze the peoples throats and when elections are near many promises. But those days are gone. Yo will have the same results as before.

Ranjith Monday, 22 April 2024 10:59 AM

President you think 10kgs rice is enough to cover up your sins of Ranil Rajapakses regime during over two decades 2005 to 2016 US$ 37 billion has been taken out from the country there had been lot corruption in all mega projects during this period many people have lost their lives what actions you have taken all these blunders and day light robberies, what are you doing about the Bond scam? What is 10 kgs of rice to hoodwinked the people, for sins committed by you and Rajapakses you have to give. more than this, people curse is on Ranil Rajapakse regime.

ANNECUNT Monday, 22 April 2024 01:20 PM

you have not heard the SLPP election GUNDU yet , it is chicken buriyani with bottle of arrack all from your own money stolen by rajapaksas vote for the rajapaksas or white van is comming to you

Kumarapala Balusinha Monday, 22 April 2024 04:46 PM

...these funds are from the stolen money from the Central Bank! Muwan Palasse Pina also doing similar work like RW for people to get a plate of Pin Rice!

Ian Bertus Monday, 22 April 2024 06:41 PM

I cannot imagine the desperation to be in power and travel abroad in foreign jonts on poor tax payers money.

Cherath Tuesday, 23 April 2024 06:53 AM

Rice doesn't fall from the sky. Who is paying for this free rice? And what is the threshold for a low income? 20 kgs to each of the millions of families on low income must come to a staggering cost. Equally important is - what do these families do after 2 months, once they get used to free rice? A Monumental Election Gundu that will bring forth grave consequences to the people of SL.

Sambo Tuesday, 23 April 2024 08:32 AM

Gift of rice unfit for human consumption.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Every low-income family will receive 10 kgs of rice for April, May: President

Comments - 50

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

An Int’l summit avoids Sri Lanka due to beggar menace in Colombo

Not AirAsia bidding to acquire SriLankan: Capital A CEO clarifies

Heavy taxes for public, duty free vehicles for MPs, senior officials?

AstraZeneca admits for first time its COVID vaccine can cause rare side effect

Attempt to send 17 year-old-boy to London on forged documents foiled

Oil and gas exploration halted by prolonged legal dispute

MIRROR CRICKET

World Cup finalist named in USA T20 World Cup 2024 squad

Co-hosts West Indies announce squad for T20 World Cup

LPL 2024 Player Auction on May 21

ICC announce Match Officials for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Protesting medical students tear-gassed

Fisherman arrested for amassing Rs.90Mn assets beyond his means

Sri Lanka drops 15 positions in World Press Freedom Index: Ranks 150

Young Lawyers flay Tiran for calling eliminating criminals not a sin

World Cup finalist named in USA T20 World Cup 2024 squad

Co-hosts West Indies announce squad for T20 World Cup

LPL 2024 Player Auction on May 21

ICC announce Match Officials for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024