M.M. Naimuddin, Secretary to the Ministry of Trade, formally handed over a comprehensive report on the country's rice and paddy stocks to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today (November 7). This report, developed by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), was commissioned to evaluate the nation's rice supply following reports of shortages of essential rice varieties, including Nadu, White, and Red Raw rice.
Under the President’s directive, CAA officials conducted field inspections on October 26 and 27 across four key rice-producing districts: Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Ampara, and Hambantota. During these inspections, officers visited various large and medium-scale rice mills to assess stock levels and distribution practices directly from workers at the mills. They also examined storage conditions and logistical factors affecting rice availability.
The report’s findings will serve as a foundation for policy measures to ensure a stable rice supply and prevent similar shortages in the future, aligning with the government’s focus on food security.
