Traders up in arms against mill owners not providing rice at affordable rates in view of Thai Pongal

• Lack of red rice could hinder Hindu devotees from observing their customs during the festival

By Ranjith Rajapakse   

The traders in several areas of the upcountry yesterday  demonstrated demanding the supply of adequate stocks of Nadu and Red  rice varieties in view of the Thai Pongal festive season.   

A number of Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim traders from  Agarapathana, Manrasi and Dayagama in the Nuwara-Eliya District  participated.   

They pointed out that the rice mill owners supplied rice at  higher rates and that it was not able to sell it to the consumers   at controlled prices. They said they would be liable to legal action  by the Consumer Affairs Authority if rice was sold for the prices  based on the prices of rice mill owners.   

The traders pointed out that it was a tradition among the  Hindu devotees to prepare milk rice with red rice on the day of the  festival. However, they would not be able to follow that tradition this  year for want of red rice.   
Thai Pongal festival which is an important event for the  Hindu devotees will be on January 14. Red rice is widely consumed by  Hindus.