Red rice shortage due to free distribution of rice by previous government: Minister

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera

The free distribution of 20 kilos of rice by the previous government before the presidential election has resulted in the shortage of red rice in the market, Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-Operative Development Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe said yesterday.  

The Minister told Parliament that the previous government distributed red rice even to the people who never eat red rice.  

“There is a shortage of red rice in the market. The reason for the shortage is that the previous government distributed 20 kilos of rice to the people before the presidential election. ” he said responding to a question raised by MP Namal Rajapaksa.  

The government has formulated a joint programme by Sathosa, Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) and cooperative chain to purchase paddy in the upcoming Maha season and added that even if a rice shortage occurred, the government will be able to cater to the rice requirements in the market for one and half months.