The Sri Lanka Customs last Saturday directed several importers of rice to re-export stocks amounting to 75 metric tonnes which were found to be unfit for consumption. 

The Customs stated that weevils (Gullo) have been detected in 50,000 kg of imported rice. They also raised issues relating to product information labels that have been detected in another 25,000 kg of imported rice.

Accordingly, the importers have been ordered to re-export the relevant rice consignments or face the confiscation of defective stocks.

“There have been insects in two barrels of imported rice and we are in the process of shipping it back to the country of origin,” Sri Lanka Customs Media Spokesperson and Additional Director General, Seevali Arukgoda, told The Daily Morning yesterday (15).

It has been revealed that two containers of imported rice contained defective stocks, while another container had labels which had been tampered with, i.e. new labels had affixed over old ones with expiration dates nearing.

"These containers have also been identified and we will not allow it to enter the market," Arukgoda said.

To address the ongoing rice shortage in the country, the Government authorised private importers to begin importing rice from 4 December.