🌾 Sajith Questions Rice Imports Amid Domestic Surplus Claims

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has criticized the Government's decision to import rice despite an estimated domestic surplus, while highlighting shortfalls in guaranteed paddy prices for local farmers. Key details from the statement include: • Paddy Pricing Deficit: The Agriculture Minister estimated the production cost at ~Rs. 137/kg against a guaranteed price of Rs. 120/kg, creating a Rs. 17/kg shortfall for farmers. The promised Rs. 150/kg legal guaranteed price remains unfulfilled. • Import vs. Production: National production reached ~3.2 Mn MT against an annual consumption requirement of ~2.5 Mn MT. Despite the surplus, ~382,000 MT of rice was imported. • Millers & Market Access: Premadasa questioned the impact of the Rs. 7.5 Bn allocated to strengthen small- and medium-scale rice millers, noting farmers still struggle to sell their harvest.