Expected paddy harvest dropped by 5 million metric tonnes this year: Minister
Posted on March 19th, 2025
By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera Courtesy The Daily Mirror
Colombo, March 19 (Daily Mirror) – Claiming that the expected paddy harvest this year had diminished by 5 million metric tonnes, Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe said yesterday the government may have to import rice again to meet the demand.
He told Parliament that the estimated paddy harvest this year was 2.9 million metric tonnes and that it has reduced to 2.4 million metric tonnes due to adverse weather conditions and floods.
“If there is a shortage in the rice market, the government will have to import rice to meet the demand. We clearly said the government will not import rice if there was no natural disaster,” he said.
Responding to a question by SLPP MP D.V. Chanaka that rice prices will increase over Rs. 350 if paddy is to be purchased at Rs. 120 a kilo, the Minister said the government will not allow rice prices to exceed the controlled price for any reason.