Cabinet Approves Rice Importation Until January 10, 2025

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Cabinet has approved the importation of rice until the January 10, 2025.

This decision was made during the Cabinet meeting held yesterday.

Cabinet Spokesman, Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, said that the rice importation permit, which expired on the 20th of December, has been extended until the January 10.

Minister of Trade, Wasantha Samarasinghe, also mentioned that the relevant gazette notification will be issued promptly.

According to Sri Lanka Customs, 67,000 metric tons of imported rice were received in the country by the 20th of December. 

Out of this, 28,500 metric tons are raw rice, and 38,500 metric tons are Nadu rice.

Customs Media Spokesman, Additional Director General Seevali Arukgoda said that they had also collected Rs. 4.3 billion in import tax revenue from these rice stocks.