Srilanka, Nov. 9 -- Deshamanya Ruwan Asuramuni, Chairman of the United Nations Human Rights Organisation, criticised the government, stating that while the Budget promises relief to the people, a consignment of 130 metric tonnes of rice donated free of charge by an Indian businessman has been held at the Colombo Port for over three months.

Asuramuni warned that the 130,000 kilogrammes of rice (Kiri Samba and Ponni Samba varieties) face the risk of destruction due to the lengthy delay at the port.

"The ship from India came free of charge, and the rice came free of charge. It was sent as humanitarian aid to be distributed among needy families," he stated. "Five containers of rice sent to the United Nations Human Rights Organisation in Sri...