The Government seized stocks of rice owned by the large-scale mill owners in the Polonnaruwa area. Accordingly, the rice stocks owned by Nipuna, Lathpandura, Araliya, Hiru, New Rathna and Suriya were seized under the direct supervision of the Commissioner
General of Essential Services Major General Senarath Niwunhella and the Chairman of the Consumer Affairs Authority.
The process of expeditiously transporting these rice stocks to Sathosa outlets commenced at the same time, after the rice stocks which were not released to the market and possessed by all large-scale rice mills in the Polonnaruwa area were taken over under the Government’s controlled price.
The Government’s aim is to speedily provide these rice stocks to the consumers. When the relevant authorities took steps to seize the rice stocks owned by the New Rathna rice mill, the owners of the Mill took steps to raise objections and obstructed the duties of the officials.
After the government introduced a controlled price for rice, the Commissioner General of Essential Services has held discussions with the owners of these rice mills on maintaining an ample production capacity and releasing rice to the market without any shortage.
However, since they have not taken any action as agreed, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has given instructions to Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardane, the Commissioner General of Essential Services and the Chairman of the Consumer Affairs Authority to seize the rice stocks and release them to the market. Polonnaruwa District Secretary W.A. Dharmasiri, Polonnaruwa Senior Superintendent of Police Oshan Hewawitharana and others were also present during the seizure.
