The United Rice Mill Owners Association has warned the price of a kilogram of rice may increase up to Rs.300 during the upcoming festive season.
Speaking to media Chairman Muditha Perera said there is a risk of queues forming to purchase rice in future.
He added 95 percent of small and medium scale rice mill owners in the country have closed at present.
Meanwhile Muditha Perera claimed the public may have to purchase rice in small packets after August, instead of the 5kg and 10kg sacks.
He questioned Minister of Agriculture Mahindananda Aluthgamage on whether rice imported from India will not affect people’s health, as India uses 25 percent more chemical fertiliser than Sri Lanka.
He added China uses 200 percent more chemical fertiliser for agriculture, in comparison to Sri Lanka.
Perera said the price of a kilogram of local rice was at Rs.120 when the government commenced the importation of rice, adding at present the price has increased to Rs.200.
He claimed if the imported rice stocks were distributed across the country in a stringent manner, the price of locally produced rice will not increase.
He charged affiliates of the government engaged in a racket involving imported rice, adding they directed containers carrying imported rice to Polonnaruwa and sold it for around Rs.180 while claiming it was produced locally.
