The JVP says the rice issue in the country cannot be resolved by merely importing rice.
Speaking during a media briefing in Colombo JVP Leader Parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayaka said 195,000MT of rice are consumed monthly in the country, and around 2.4 million MT of rice are required annually.
He added 3.6 million MT of paddy is required to fulfil the demand.
The MP said however reports issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka state 5 million MT of rice were manufactured in the country last year.
MP Dissanayaka said therefore the shortage is caused due to the lack of a stringent programme to distribute rice.
He stated therefore the government must intervene methodically to purchase and store paddy, produce rice and for the wholesale trade of rice.
When inquired by media on whether the rice shortage was a result of weaknesses of state officials in the agriculture sector, MP Dissanayaka said all officials work based on orders issued by the subject Minister.
The MP claimed it was Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage that imposed a control price of Rs.50 on paddy and not the Director General of Agriculture, adding that it was the Cabinet of Ministers that removed the control price on rice.
He claimed a majority likes to blame officials and protect the political authority.
He added however, despite drawbacks of state officials, the political authority has the responsibility to resolve issues faced by the people as they were given the public mandate for five years.
