The government is preparing to introduce a special concessionary rice distribution programme under which public servants will be able to obtain 20 kilograms of locally produced rice through an affordable payment scheme, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe has announced.
Speaking on the proposed initiative, the Minister said the programme is expected to provide two popular rice varieties—Kekulu and Nadu—to public sector employees at concessionary prices.
According to the proposal submitted by the Ministry of Agriculture, each beneficiary will receive two 10-kilogram rice packs, consisting of Kekulu and Nadu rice, for a total of 20 kilograms.
The concessionary rice package will be distributed under a special payment mechanism designed to make locally produced rice more affordable for public servants.
As part of the programme, special vouchers will be issued to eligible beneficiaries. These vouchers can be redeemed at Sathosa outlets, Sathosa Sevaka stores, and Co-operative (Co-op) retail outlets located across the country to obtain the rice packages.
Minister Samarasinghe said the initiative is intended not only to provide relief to public servants but also to support local paddy farmers by encouraging the consumption of domestically produced rice.
“Everyone in our country should consume rice produced by local farmers. Accordingly, all necessary arrangements have already been made to store the paddy purchased by the government and distribute it under a systematic programme,” the Minister said.
The government expects the programme to strengthen food security, support local agriculture, and improve the marketing of paddy purchased from farmers while providing concessionary food assistance to public sector employees.
Further details regarding the implementation of the scheme, including eligibility criteria and distribution dates, are expected to be announced in due course.
