Sri Lanka, July 1 -- Minister of Agriculture, Land, Irrigation and Livestock Development K. D. Lal Kantha said the import of rice for liquor manufacture would be allowed and facilities for it provided.

He told the media after attending a programme in Gannoruwa Animal Products and Health Department that an effective mechanism would be worked out to prevent the issue of rice imported for liquor manufacture to the local rice market.

The Minister pointed out that target of paddy production in the Yala harvest could not be achieved due to the inclement weather and that it could affect the consumer.

"However, the government would not allow it to pose a challenge to the consumers and the country's requirement of rice would be supplemented by ...