Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe has acknowledged a shortage of red rice in the local market, blaming the former government for the crisis. 

Addressing the Parliament today, Minister Samarasinghe said the shortage was a result of the former government distributing 20 kilos of rice per person free of charge ahead of the Presidential Election.

Minister Samarasinghe alleged that the Ranil Wickremesinghe led government distributed red rice to the public who did not consume red rice as well, which had resulted in the shortage.

He said, however, the government has taken necessary measures to address the issues and ensure the continuous supply of rice to the local market. 

Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe made the remarks in response to a question raised by SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa with regard to a shortage of red rice in Sri Lanka. (Newswire)

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