Sri Lanka, Nov. 14 -- Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe informed Parliament yesterday (13) that large-scale rice mill owners have hidden stocks of Keeri Samba rice and have created an artificial shortage in the market.

The Minister said that concessions will be given to paddy farmers to encourage increase in growing the Keeri Samba variety. He said that arrangements have been made to ensure that farmers get a better price for Keeri Samba rice.

The Minister said that Cabinet approval has been received to import rice from October 2025.

The Minister said that the annual requirement of rice in Sri Lanka on average is around 2.7 million metric tonnes. He said that the domestic consumpt...