The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, the answer to Hon. K. Kader Masthan’s Question under Standing Order 27(2) is as follows:

¶ 02 1. As per the Ministry of Agriculture and the Department of Census and Statistics, Sri Lanka’s annual rice requirement is about 2.7 million metric tons (MMT)—2.4 MMT for household consumption and 0.3 MMT for industry.

¶ 03 Domestic production varies by type. According to Agriculture Ministry data for Yala 2025, cultivation shares were: Nadu 80.2%, Samba 9.3%, Keeri Samba 8.8% and others 1.7%. These charts show a deficit in Keeri Samba (and other Samba) and a surplus in Nadu.

¶ 04 For Yala 2025, the total cultivated extent was 532,684 hectares: White Nadu 64%, Red Nadu 21.98%, White Samba 5.72%, Red Samba 0.95%, Keeri Samba 7.01%, others balance. The projection was 80% overall, but actual shows 86% Nadu and under 14% for Keeri/Samba combined, implying an over 3% shortfall particularly in Keeri Samba.

¶ 05 2. The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has repeatedly discussed Keeri Samba imports at its monthly price-variation meetings. Lanka Sathosa weekly tenders also showed persistent non-submission for Keeri Samba. Considering these, the Food Policy and Security Committee reported accordingly, and since September the Cabinet approved rice imports.

¶ 06 To protect consumers when market prices become unaffordable, the CAA enforces necessary controls—raids on traders, producers, and millers selling at excessive prices or hoarding; and awareness programmes to promote fair-trade practices. In 2025, about 4,870 raids were conducted with fines totaling Rs. 121 million, and 1,260 training programmes were held.

¶ 07 Cabinet approval to import Ponni (GR-11) was granted from 15.10.2025. According to Sri Lanka Customs, by 11.11.2025, 61,564 MT had been imported, and by this morning (13th) around 63,000 MT. Importers were given 12 days to submit bills of lading and about 15 days thereafter to clear consignments. To avoid overconcentration, shipment days and per-importer quantities were capped; each importer was limited to about 520 MT (around 20 containers). By the 15th, we expect over 65,000 MT.

¶ 08 Current Maximum Retail Prices (MRP) are as follows: - Gazette 2414/02 of 09.12.2024: Kekulu Rs. 210/kg; Nadu Rs. 220/kg; Samba Rs. 230/kg - Gazette 2459/12 of 21.10.2025: Ponni GR-11 Rs. 240/kg; BS/Pal Ponni Rs. 255/kg Keeri Samba’s indicative retail price is Rs. 260/kg. As per Cabinet decision of 14.10.2025, approvals are limited to GR-11 and Ponni as substitutes for Keeri Samba.

¶ 09 5. The Government does not unnecessarily intervene in markets; prices are determined by demand and supply. When prices are unaffordable or unfair practices (hoarding, black marketing) arise, the Government intervenes to rectify. As a long-term measure, farmers are being encouraged—through support for multiple varieties, fertilizer subsidies, concessional inputs, higher guaranteed prices, and season-specific advisories—implemented by the Agriculture Ministry, Trade Ministry and relevant agencies.

¶ 10 The Cooperative Wholesale Establishment has been re-established; with the Paddy Marketing Board and small/medium millers, paddy will be milled and sold via Lanka Sathosa, the cooperative network, and where needed supermarket chains at fair prices. In 2026, paddy dryers will be provided to cooperatives to strengthen procurement, and the CAA will register all millers for regulatory oversight.