Government Extends Rice Import Period

Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced yesterday (December 19) that a Gazette notification formalizing the extension would be issued on December 24. Without this extension, rice stocks imported after the current deadline, which ends at midnight today (December 20), would need to be re-exported, according to Customs Spokesperson Seevali Arukgoda.

Since December 4, the private sector has imported 35,600 metric tons of rice, including 20,000 metric tons of Nadu rice and 16,000 metric tons of Kekulu rice. Additionally, a shipment of 52,000 metric tons ordered by the Sri Lanka State Trading (General) Corporation is expected to arrive soon.

Chairman of the Sri Lanka State Trading (General) Corporation, Ravindra Fernando, confirmed that 10,400 metric tons ordered by Sathosa have already been released to the market.

This extension aims to stabilize the rice supply and meet local demand.