The gove ment has decided to extend the permission for rice imports until January 10, 2025, ensuring a continued supply to meet market demands.

The final agreement on this decision is expected to be ratified at the Cabinet meeting on Monday.

Cabinet Spokesperson Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced yesterday (19) that further extensions will be considered if necessary. A gazette notification formalizing the extension will be issued on December 24.

Currently, the permission for rice imports is set to expire at midnight today (20). If the extension is not confirmed, rice stocks imported after this deadline will have to be re-exported, wa ed Customs Media Spokesperson Sivali Arukgoda.

Since the import authorization on December 4, the private sector has brought in 35,600 metric tons of rice, including 20,000 metric tons of Nadu rice and 16,000 metric tons of Kekulu rice.

Additionally, a shipment of 52,000 metric tons of rice ordered by the State Commercial Miscellaneous Corporation is expected to arrive soon. Chairman Ravindra Fe ando confirmed that 10,400 metric tons of rice procured through Sathosa have already been released to the market.