Roshan Ranasinghe, Minister of State for Local Government and Provincial Councils says that in order to eradicate the rice mafia, the government should take over the rice mills and ensure the right of the people to obtain staple food at reasonable prices.
He was speaking to the media at a program held in Jayanthipura, Polonnaruwa yesterday (21).
We will definitely take action in the future regarding rice prices. Because we know the mafia is active again. We have suggestions as to what decisions should be taken in this regard. Those proposals are being discussed within our ruling party group.
Today both the farmer and the consumer are helpless. Those rice mill mafias are carrying out this exploitation for a while. Dollar crisis does not affect the increase in rice prices. Rice is a local product. It doesn’t need dollars. This is an exploitation, and this is because of gluttonous millers.
I came to know that Kiri Samba is very expensive. These people should stop plundering the people in a very unjust manner. Therefore, as a government we have to take decisions at this time. Either these mills should be taken over by the government and their employees should be recruited by the government, because it is a staple food for the people. Staple food is a people’s right to staple food. He also said, ” staple food is a human right. If these millers do not think of the people, the farmers and the consumers, we as a government must take a decision.”
Isha Mudiyanse – Polonnaruwa