President says price of a kilo of rice could rise to Rs. 280

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says that it is not possible to buy a kilo of paddy for Rs. 140 and provide a kilo of rice for Rs. 220 or 230.

He stated that if a kilo of rice is to be provided for Rs. 220, a kilo of paddy should be purchased for Rs. 117. He said that mill owners who bought a kilo of paddy for Rs. 140 each are will have to selling a kilo of rice for around Rs. 280. He expressed these views during the Battle program held on Sirasa Channel.

However, he said that the current maximum price for rice will not be increased at all and will not be allowed to be exceeded.

The harvest season has already begun and private rice mill owners are purchasing paddy at Rs. 140. The government has not yet announced a control price for paddy.