Harsha slams Govt.’s silence on rice shortage

SJB Colombo district candidate and economists 

Dr. Harsha de Silva 

• Says market monopoly on rice is preventing proper functioning of market, leading to shortage
• Claims there are large stockpiles of paddy in warehouses controlled by large-scale mill owners
• Stresses importance of dismantling rice monopoly to restore market
• Challenges NPP and its Economic Council to provide clear solutions to rising costs of living and rice shortage

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Colombo district candidate and economist Dr. Harsha de Silva has criticised the Government for its lack of response to the current rice shortage in the market, calling for urgent measures to break the rice monopoly in the country. 

Speaking to the media yesterday Dr. de Silva highlighted that the monopoly on rice is preventing the proper functioning of the market, leading to a shortage of the staple despite large stockpiles of paddy in warehouses controlled by large-scale mill owners.

“Currently, there is a monopoly over rice in this country, and without addressing it, we cannot restore the rice market,” said Dr. de Silva. He pointed to the SJB’s Shakti Sahal Cooperative initiative, which is part of the party’s economic blueprint. The plan he said aims to unite small and medium-scale rice mill owners and farmers in a large-scale effort to challenge the monopoly and stabilise rice supply in the market.

Dr. de Silva also noted the existence of a “rice mafia” that operates in Sri Lanka between 15 October and 15 January, withholding stocks to create an artificial scarcity. “The rice stored in warehouses by large mill owners is not being processed and released to the market, yet the Government has remained silent,” he said.

In addition to criticising the Government’s inaction, Dr. de Silva also challenged the National People’s Power (NPP) party and its Economic Council to provide clear solutions to the rising cost of living and the rice shortage, as the party has made claims of reducing living costs without offering concrete measures.

He emphasised the need for Parliament to take control of the economic situation, stating, “Managing the economy is not an easy task; it requires experience. The President alone cannot raise or reduce taxes. Parliament must step in and make the right economic decisions, or we risk further collapse.”

Dr. de Silva urged the Government to either increase the price of rice through a gazette or implement a system to release stored paddy to the market, warning that without decisive action, the country’s economy could face serious consequences.