2026-07-31
News Categories : News
Maximum wholesale and retail prices have been announced for several varieties of locally produced rice in line with the new controlled prices introduced by the Government.
Accordingly, the maximum wholesale price for one kilogram of locally produced white or red raw rice has been fixed at Rs. 215, while the maximum retail price is Rs. 220.
For one kilogram of locally produced white or red parboiled Nadu rice, the maximum wholesale price has been set at Rs. 225, with a maximum retail price of Rs. 230.
The maximum wholesale price for one kilogram of locally produced parboiled Samba (white or red) and raw Samba rice has been fixed at Rs. 235, while the maximum retail price is Rs. 240.
In addition, the maximum wholesale price for one kilogram of locally produced Keeri Samba rice has been set at Rs. 255, with a maximum retail price of Rs. 260.
These details were revealed in the response provided by the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe, in Parliament on the 23rd, in reply to an oral question raised by Hon. Member of Parliament Thilina Samarakoon.
Under the maximum retail prices prescribed for imported rice, imported raw rice should be sold at Rs. 210 per kilogram, Nadu rice at Rs. 220, Samba rice at Rs. 230, Ponni Samba (GR 11) at Rs. 240, and Keeri Ponni or Paal Ponni (GR 11) at Rs. 255 per kilogram. It was further stated that all necessary arrangements have been made to release sufficient rice stocks to the market to meet consumer demand during the festive season.
It was also reported that the current wholesale price of imported Ponni Samba (GR 11) is Rs. 220 per kilogram, while the wholesale price of Keeri Ponni or Paal Ponni (GR 11) ranges between Rs. 250 and Rs. 252 per kilogram.
According to the Minister's detailed response, a special programme has also been implemented under which paddy stocks held by the Paddy Marketing Board are supplied to small and medium-scale rice mill owners through the Cooperative Wholesale Establishment for milling into rice. The rice is then distributed to the market through Lanka Sathosa Limited. Sathosa procures rice on a weekly basis under its procurement mechanism and sells it to consumers at fair and competitive prices while adhering to the prescribed maximum retail prices.
It was further stated that adequate stocks of essential food commodities, including rice, potatoes, big onions, lentils, sugar and wheat flour, have been maintained in the country to meet consumer demand. While wheat flour and lentils are entirely dependent on imports, commodities such as potatoes, sugar and onions are supplied to the market through both local production and imports. Rice is imported by the Government and the private sector only in exceptional circumstances where a domestic shortage arises.
Most commodities, including essential food items, are imported by the private sector. However, where shortages of essential food items occur or where prices rise abnormally, the Government intervenes through the State Trading (General) Corporation (STC), the Government's import agency, to undertake the necessary imports.
The Minister further noted that the Consumer Affairs Authority is empowered to prescribe maximum retail prices in order to control abnormal price increases of any commodity. Traders selling goods above the stipulated maximum retail prices are liable to raids and legal action, with courts empowered to impose fines. In addition to price controls, the Consumer Affairs Authority continues to implement public awareness programmes, market inspections and enforcement measures to ensure that fair prices are maintained in the market.
2026-08-21
The Supplementary Estimate to provide Rs. 7500 million required by the Government to purchase paddy from the 2026 Yala season was approved by Parliament today (Aug. 21). The debate on the Supplementary Estimate was held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.The Supplementary Estimate was presented to allocate Rs. 7500 million from the funds allocated for projects/programmes of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation for 2026, which are expected to remain unutilized during the year, for the purchase of paddy.
2026-08-21
A minute of silence observed in the Chamber to express condolencesParliament today (Aug. 21) expressed its condolences to the late veteran singer Dr. Nanda Malini, recalling her immense contribution to Sri Lankan music and society. Accordingly, a minute of silence was observed in the Chamber following a request by Hon. Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya.Speaking thereafter, the Prime Minister said she was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Nanda Malini, who was revered as the “golden voice” of Sri Lankan music and who, through her distinctive singing career spanning more than eight decades, enriched the country’s music and culture.The Prime Minister further stated that, as an admirer who had listened to Nanda Malini’s many songs and experienced different moments of life accompanied by those songs, her passing was not merely the loss of an unparalleled artistic personality in Sri Lankan music. It was also the departure of a familiar voice that had been closely connected to our lives and memories, and that had been with us through moments of both happiness and sorrow.She noted that Nanda Malini’s songs were deeply connected to the experiences of generations, and that the memories associated with her beautiful voice are felt even more strongly following her passing. The Prime Minister said that Nanda Malini’s singing career represented not only an era in Sri Lankan music, but also a living expression of the lives of the people, social movements and human emotions of the country.Going beyond singing about human emotions such as love and separation, Nanda Malini gave voice through her songs to the sorrow, fear, hopes and struggles of ordinary people, the Prime Minister recalled. That was why, when listening to her songs, people heard not merely the voice of a singer, but the voice of their own society.The Prime Minister said that, at this moment of mourning Nanda Malini’s passing, she was remembering not only an incomparable artist who had been lost to Sri Lankan music, but also a beloved voice that was connected to many memories in the lives of the people. She also noted that although the voice that had accompanied the people for decades has now fallen silent, the songs she sang would continue to live on in their memories and hearts. She expressed her deepest condolences to Nanda Malini’s two daughters and all members of her family, as well as to the people of Sri Lanka who loved her singing voice.Speaking on the occasion, Hon. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa stated that he personally knew Dr. Nanda Malini and described her as one of the greatest singers produced by Sri Lanka. He said she was an artist who never bowed to anyone and who always stood up for the people, possessing an exceptional sense of humanity, kindness and compassion.Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, who also spoke on the occasion, said that he joined the sentiments expressed in the Chamber in memory of the late Dr. Nanda Malini. On behalf of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, he expressed the hope that she may attain Nibbana.
2026-08-20
The Committee on Parliamentary Business, which met today (Aug. 20) under the chairmanship of Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, decided to take up for debate tomorrow, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the Supplementary Estimate seeking approval for the allocation of Rs. 7500 million (7.5 billion) required by the Government to purchase paddy during the 2026 Yala season.The Supplementary Estimate has been presented to provide Rs. 7.5 billion from the funds allocated in 2026 for projects and programmes of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, which are expected to remain unutilized during the current year, for the purpose of making the required payments.Thereafter, the Adjournment Motion to be presented by the Government is scheduled to be debated from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
2026-08-20
The Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children (Amendment) Bill was passed in Parliament today (Aug. 20). The debate on the Second Reading of the Bill was held from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thereafter, the Bill was passed without a vote.The Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children (Amendment) Bill was introduced to increase the fines applicable to offences under the Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act No. 47 of 1956, from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 100,000.
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