The Sri Lanka Navy, renowned for its storied history as the nation's maritime defence force, is celebrating its 74th Anniversary today, 09th December 2024. Under the able leadership of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, a series of programmes are being conducted across all Naval Commands, highlighting the Navy's enduring traditions and religious practices as part of the anniversary festivities.

The Low-Pressure Area in the southeast Bay of Bengalis likely to move west-northwestwards and reach over southwest Bay of Bengal off Sri Lanka – Tamil Nadu coasts around 11th December. Under its influence, showery conditions are expected to enhance in the Northern and Eastern provinces from 10^th December. The Northeast monsoon condition also expected to establishing gradually over the island along with above condition.

• • President Emphasizes Strict Action against Traders Not Adhering to Controlled Rice Prices
  • White Rice Prices: Wholesale Rs. 215, Retail Rs. 220
  • Imported Nadu Rice Retail Price Set at Rs. 220
  • Samba Rice Prices: Wholesale Rs. 235, Retail Rs. 240
  • Keeri Samba Prices: Wholesale Rs. 255, Retail Rs. 260
  • President Inquires About Frequent Daily Price Fluctuations in Rice
  • Consumer Affairs Authority Directed to Monitor Daily Rice Production

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed rice traders to sell Nadu rice to consumers at a wholesale price of Rs. 225 per kilo and a retail price of Rs. 230 per kilo.

The President also instructed the officials Consumer Affairs Authority to closely monitor the situation over the next ten days and strictly enforce the law against rice mill owners who fail to comply with the fixed prices.

President Dissanayake made these remarks during a meeting with officials from the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, along with rice traders, at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (07).

The President highlighted that the largest investments in the country are allocated to the Ministry of Highways, followed by the Irrigation and Agriculture sectors, with substantial subsidies provided to farmers.

The President further pointed out that low-interest bank loans have been provided to traders for the purchase of paddy and urged rice traders not to undermine the public’s right to access affordable rice.

As a result, the following rice prices will be implemented
• Wholesale price of a kilo of Nadu rice: Rs. 225, Retail price: Rs. 230
• Wholesale price of a kilo of white rice: Rs. 215, Retail price: Rs. 220
• Retail price of a kilo of imported Nadu rice: Rs. 220
• Wholesale price of a kilo of Samba rice: Rs. 235, Retail price: Rs. 240
• Wholesale price of a kilo of Keeri Samba: Rs. 255, Retail price: Rs. 260

The President also strongly criticized rice mill owners for frequently changing rice prices on a daily basis and instructed the Consumer Affairs Authority to monitor the daily rice production and distribution by mills.

Furthermore, President Dissanayake urged the rice traders to collaborate with the government in resolving the rice-related issues in an amicable manner.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development A. Wimalenthirajah, Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation D.P. Wickramasinghe, Director General of the Department of Development Finance Malarmathy Gangatharan, Acting Director General of the Department of Agriculture Dr. S.K. Wasala, Chairman of the Consumer Affairs Authority Hemantha Samarakoon, Chairman of the Paddy Marketing Board A.M.U. Pinnalanda, Director of the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agricultural Research and Training Institute A.L. Chandika, among other officials.

Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera along with the President of Navy Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Mala Lamahewa attended an all-night Pirith Chanting and Alms Giving ceremonies held at the Welisara Naval Complex on 06th and 07th December 2024. The meritorious events were organized to invoke blessings on the forthcoming 74^th Anniversary (09^th December) of the Sri Lanka Navy.