All rice in market fit for human consumption: Health Ministry
Almost one hundred per cent of the rice available for sale in the market is fit for human consumption, said the Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Health.
I response to allegations from certain quarters that most of the rice in the open market was not fit for human consumption, officials had inspected stocks of rice at over 50 wholesale outlets in the Pettah who supply the bulk of rice to the retail market, said Additional Secretary Palitha Maheepala. These officials had found the stocks of rice as being fit for human consumption, he added.
Meanwhile, Trade Minister Johnston Fernando said that his Ministry will not leave room for an unreasonable price increase of rice during the upcoming festive season.
Minister Fernando said that if traders resorted to an arbitrary increase in prices, he would not hesitate to bring in measures to control the price of rice.
Courtesy: Ada Derana
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- General Manager of Sri Lanka Railways H.M.K.W. Bandara passes away April 23, 2024
- NPP requests confirmation from SJB for proposed debate April 23, 2024
- Two killed in police shooting at Moragahahena April 23, 2024
- Sri Lanka’s inflation eases to 2.5% in March 2024 April 22, 2024
- AirAsia and FitsAir among bidders for SriLankan Airlines April 22, 2024
Rice is our staple diet. However, people get tired of eating rice. Hence alternatves are string hoppers, pittu and hoppers from RICE flour. People do not like eating kurakkan as it is heavy. People enjoy eating bread from wheat flour. Wheat has become expensive even though there are ample stocks in the West. North India grows wheat. I wonder whether it has been researched whether we can also grow wheat likewise. Afterall, rice is grown in USA, surely there is no reason why we cannot grow a variety of wheat suitable to our climate, perhaps from Italy or India. Since our wheat flour consumption is about 40% I think the Agricultural Research Department should now consider seriously to try to cultivate wheat also to meet the needs of SL for wheat flour. Over to you Hon Minister of Agriculture.