Rice, cement in the market within next two weeks: Trade Minister

Rice and cement will be imported into country in the next two weeks as a solution to the current shortage, Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardana said.

Addressing the media, he said the Finance Minister has reduced the special commodity levy of Rs.65 per kg of imported rice to 25 cents, allowing anyone from the private sector to import rice.

The aim behind reducing the levy is to bring down the price of rice. Therefore, in two weeks, there would be no rice shortage in the country. 

He also said that the Finance Ministry had allowed importing of cement as well. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)