• Lanka Sathosa prepares for artificial shortage from large-scale traders  
• Samba, Keeri Samba, Ponni Samba, Pal Ponni to be imported
• Trade Ministry says there’s a rice surplus 
• Acknowledges contrary public perception of scarcity  

The Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development Ministry yesterday (1 April) stated that although the Government is well aware that there is no rice shortage in the country, 5,000 metric tonnes (MT) of rice will be distributed to the market through Lanka Sathosa in the coming days to prepare for any possible attempts by large-scale rice traders to create an artificial shortage.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, Deputy subject Minister R.M. Jayawardana said there is a perception among the public that rice may become scarce in the coming days, but stressed that Sri Lanka currently has a surplus in rice production. 

"In fact, there is a surplus of rice in the country. Even then, we are taking necessary measures to cope with the situation if large-scale businessmen reduce the release of rice to the market. For instance, we have already made arrangements to release 5,000 MT of rice to the market through Lanka Sathosa before the Sinhala and Tamil New Year," he said.

Jayawardana recently observed that some wholesale distributors had increased the prices of certain commodities under the pretext of higher costs linked to the Middle East conflict, despite importers agreeing to release such goods without price increases for the festive season. He said that discussions held with importers ahead of the New Year season confirmed that there are no supply shortages or barriers to maintaining the current prices.

Meanwhile, a proposal enabling the temporary importation of substitute rice varieties to address a projected shortage of Samba and Keeri Samba rice in the local market has been approved by the Cabinet of Ministers. The authorities have warned that production during the 2025/2026 Maha cultivating season will not be sufficient to meet the national demand, with shortages expected from next month (May). As a result, importers will be permitted to bring in up to 1,040 MT of substitute rice varieties such as Ponni Samba, Keeri Samba or Pal Ponni between yesterday and 30 April. The imported stocks must be cleared through the Customs by 31 May. Importers will also be exempted from obtaining import control licences.