Sri Lanka Customs has detected significant defects in recent rice imports, including weevils (Gullo) in 50,000 kg and issues with product information labels on another 25,000 kg.
The respective importers have been ordered to re-export the defective consignments or face confiscation of stocks. Investigations revealed two containers of rice containing defective goods, while a third container had tampered labels, with new stickers affixed over old ones as the expiration date approached.
To address the ongoing rice shortage, the government authorized private importers to begin rice imports from December 4. Since then, shipments totaling 2,300 metric tons have arrived from India, of which 90% had been cleared and released by December 13.
