President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced that 50,000 metric tons of rice will be delivered to the Cooperative Wholesale Trading Corporation by December 20 to address the ongoing rice crisis.

Speaking at a discussion with media heads at the Presidential Secretariat, the President highlighted discrepancies in reports about the country’s rice reserves. While the Department of Agriculture reported sufficient stocks, the Consumer Affairs Authority revealed a shortage, prompting the decision to import rice.

Addressing the rice mafia, President Dissanayake stated that measures are being prepared to dismantle monopolistic control by a few individuals.

“We are determined to take strong action to break this monopoly, but it will take time,” he said.