The Prime Minister has stated that the government will enact new laws to control the owners of rice mills and large scale paddy warehouses to prevent them from stockpiling food in the future.
The Prime Minister made this observation while participating in a discussion held at the Prime Minister’s Office today (15) to discuss the financial problems faced by rice mill owners.
The Prime Minister instructed the State Banks to act in line with the monetary policy of the Government in granting these loans and instructed the Central Bank and Treasury officials to monitor the lending policies.
Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security Nalin Fernando has informed the Prime Minister that the loan facilities requested by the rice mill owners are not being provided adequately / He a;so noted that stocks of rice are being concealed.
The event was attended by representatives of state and commercial banks, officials of the Central Bank and the Treasury.