While claiming that the true nature of the Government has now been revealed, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake compared the same to a melting iceberg at a press conference held today (29). These comments were made in regards to the extraordinary gazette issued on the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) on rice which was revoked by the Cabinet last night. "The true nature of these people has been revealed. Not only did the gazette notifications go out, but President Gotabaya Rajapaksa went to the shops and displayed theatrics in front of the media, saying that they have the database. Basil Rajapaksa says that if the mill owners do not like to sell rice at the mandated price, the Government will obtain the mills,” stated Dissanayake. He further mentioned that the theatrics displayed by the Government in front of the people were beyond description when the Government announced a State of Emergency, and conducted rice mill raids. "The Minister of Agriculture keeps on making allegations that there is a rice mafia in the country and that rice will not be imported from overseas, but they imposed a control price and farmers sold the rice for a meagre profit of only Rs 40/-with tears in their eyes. The Government threatened the farmers by saying that the fertilizer concession would not be granted if the stocks of paddy were not sold. Now, the price of rice is in the hands of the rice mill owners,” remarked Dissanayake. Additionally, Dissanayake stated that the Government and Minister of Agriculture Mahindananda Aluthgamage lost the opportunity to sell the harvest at a fair price, further emphasising that the Government always represents the mafia in the business sector of Sri Lanka.