Inoperative rice processing centres:

President orders full scale survey

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday directed officials to conduct a full scale survey on inoperative rice processing centres including the Vanni rice processing mill and bring them back to operational level soon. The President was addressing a progress review meeting of the Cooperative and Internal Trade Ministry at Temple Trees.

The President and the officials dicussed the future plans of the Ministry in line with the Mahinda Chinthana Policy framework.

He expressed the need of a viable mechanism to fulfill the rice requirement of the country during the upcoming festive season. Ministry officials were ordered that a reserve of essential foods be maintained in the country at all times.

The President opined that paddy production needed to be promoted by strengthening farmers at low income families should be assisted by providing rice and other essential foods at a concessionary rate.

President Rajapaksa emphasized that the production centres should be uplifted. He drew the Ministry officials’ attention to complaints received over the misconduct at certain institutions that come under the Cooperative and Internal Trade Ministry purview.

The dossier containing complaints were handed over to Cooperative and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando for further action. The President said the details of rice processing units and storage facilities are included in the dossier and expected that action would be taken by officials.

Deputy Minister Neomal Perera, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Ministry Secretary Anura Edirisinghe also participated.