Rice prices will not be increased for the next three years, assured Trade Minister, Bandula Gunawardena.
Speaking to reporters, the Minister said from February 2021 the price of Nadu Rice and Samba Rice will not be worth of Rs. 100 per kilogram.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will stand by the local farmers without importing rice and will not take the side of racketeers, said the Minister.
An agreement will be reached with suppliers and distributors to ensure the prices of essential items such as rice, flour, dhal, peas, canned fish and sprats remain unchanged from February to July, he said.
However, if the government decides to impose a tax and if there is a great divide in the exchange rate, there would be changes, warned Minister Bandula Gunawardena.
The Minister further said, if the above events do not take place, Sathosa and the Cooperatives will make joint purchases and the prices of the goods will be less than the market price, available with the Cooperatives.
