Sri Lanka has imported 16,000 metric tonnes of rice as of yesterday (December 18), following the relaxation of rice import restrictions earlier this month.
Customs Media Spokesperson and Additional Director General of Customs, Seevali Arukgoda, confirmed that the total includes 6,000 metric tonnes of Red Raw Rice and 10,000 metric tonnes of Nadu Rice.
The import restrictions on rice were lifted on December 4 to address local shortages, enabling the import of these quantities within a short period.
This development follows the Cabinet’s decision on December 3 to allow rice imports without control permits until December 20, 2024, addressing a shortage of several rice types in local markets.
