A joint proposal by Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, Rural Economic Affairs Minister P. Harrison and Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrema to obtain funds from the Treasury to repay the bank loan of Rs.14,078 million taken by Lanka Sathosa Limited to import 257,853 metric tons of rice in August 2014 was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Lanka Sathosa Limited finds it impossible to repay the loan as rice sale could not be carried out as anticipated. Rs.5,742 million of the loan has been repaid but another Rs.8,754 million is to be repaid together with the remaining interest.