May 30, Colombo: The Sri Lanka government has decided to import rice with immediate effect to avoid "unnecessary" price increases.

Consumer Affairs Minister Bandula Gunawardana said President Mahinda Rajapaksa took this decision as several mill owners are attempting to increase the rice price by creating a shortage in the market.

The Ministry will import rice from selected countries and release it into the market if this situation continues, the Minister said.

According to Mr. Gunawardana, several traders in Colombo as well as in outstations are selling rice at higher prices, exceeding government-controlled prices.

However, Minister of Agriculture Development and Agrarian Services Maithripala Sirisena said a few weeks ago that rice has to be imported this year as the result of a clear decline in harvest due to the lack of rains at the right time.

The Minister said farmers should focus their attention on cultivating alternative crops instead of paddy to fight this natural calamity.