Dec 14, Colombo: Cooperatives and Internal Trade Minister of Sri Lanka Johnston Fernando says that buffer paddy stocks have been released to the private sector.

He has announced the decision to release the stocks saying that it is to control prices and ensure there would not be any rice shortages during the festive season.

The Minister has added that the government had a good buffer stock of paddy and that it would be released to the market based on the requirements.

According to the Minister the government always maintains buffer stocks of paddy in order to use it during emergency situations and the government would take every measure to control the price of rice and ensure a continuous stock during the festive season.