Basmati rice import taken under the purview of the State

The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to import basmati rice by the State Institutions under the tariff concessions of the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement.

This is in view of the irregularities that have occured in the recent past by allowing the private sector to import basmati rice under the above concession.

Accordingly, Sathosa and the Sri Lanka State Trading (General) Corporation were granted approval to the import 6,000 metric tons of basmati rice.

Cabinet Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella was inquired in this regard as well as the increase in rice prices at the media briefing held today (13).