Mar 19, Colombo: Rice prices have gone up 20% from last month in Sri Lanka’s market despite the paddy harvest that began in February.

Wholesale price of one kilo of Samba rice have gone up from 60 to 75 rupees, moving the retail price up to 80 rupees. Market observers are in the view that the prevailing rainy weather condition and the stockpiling of paddy by some traders have contributed to the recent price hike.

Meanwhile, the United National Party parliamentarians today slammed the Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena for his inability to control the rising cost of living.

Speaking at a media briefing UNP media spokesman Gayantha Karunathilake said that the children who are studying now have to check when the electric meter passes the 90 units mark to turn off the trip switch because once this mark is passed the tariff gets doubled.

Speaking at the same briefing MP Lakshman Kirialla pointed out that the price of a Samba kilo should not be more than 55 rupees under the present prices of paddy. He asked the government to give reasons for the present increase in rice prices.