The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, I table the answer to that question.

¶ 02 - Answer tabled:

¶ 03 (a) (i) It has not been reported that there is an acute shortage of rice at present. (ii) Not applicable. (iii) It has been reported that adequate stocks of rice are available. (iv) Small, medium and large-scale rice mill owners are present in the market, and it is observed that large-scale mill owners handle a greater share of market operations. (v) A foremost task of the present Government is to release high-quality rice stocks to the market in a manner that provides relief to both the local paddy farmer and the rice consumer. For this purpose, my Ministry, in coordination with other relevant line Ministries, institutions and the private sector, is continuously taking necessary measures. Under this: - The Food Policy and Security Committee continuously discusses ensuring there is no shortage of rice in the country. As decided at its 6th meeting held on 2025.04.01, if needed in the future, steps will be taken to import broken rice for industry, and Kekulu (white and red), Samba and Keeri Samba rice for consumer requirements. - To control abnormal price increases, maximum wholesale and retail prices have been fixed (Extraordinary Gazette No. 2414/02 of 2024.12.09 and No. 2414/04 of 2024.12.09). - The Consumer Affairs Authority takes legal action against retailers selling rice above the maximum retail price. - Officers of the Consumer Affairs Authority prepare and issue daily reports on the purchase of paddy, production of rice and release to the market by main millers; rice stores in main producing districts are being registered and data on stored paddy are obtained to stabilize the market. - Lanka Sathosa sells all varieties of rice at the maximum retail price, and the Co-operative Wholesale Establishment (Sathosa) will also enter into wholesale trading in due course.

¶ 04 (b) Not applicable.

¶ 05 Public Servants Retired Before 31.12.2015: Grant of Agrahara Insurance Cover

¶ 06 518/2025