Opposition parties in a conspiracy to reduce rice consumption

Following discussions held with several farmer organizations and Ministers recently, President Mahinda Rajapakse has appointed a committee to look in to whether the guaranteed price now been paid for paddy should be increased.

The committee consists of the Secretaries of Agriculture, Trade and Agrarian Services. They have already met farmers of the Ampara, Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura districts about this matter and will meet farmers of Hambantota district today.

Meanwhile, Minister Johnston Fernando said that the United National Party and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna are in a conspiracy on the instigation of the flour milling companies demanding increase for the guaranteed price for rice with the objective of reducing rice consumption in the country. Several demonstrations organized by these two parties held in rice producing areas recently. (niz)