Sri Lanka Customs has instructed private importers to re-export 50,000 kilograms of rice unsuitable for consumption and 25,000 kilograms of rice with altered expiry dates, which were recently imported from India by private traders.

Two of the inspected rice consignments were found to contain weevils, while the third had a new label pasted over an old one with near-expired dates, according to Additional Director of Customs and Customs Media Spokesperson Seevali Arukgoda.

The Government had granted permission for private importers to import rice, starting from December 4, as a solution to the country’s rice shortage. Consequently, rice imports from India are currently underway. Between December 4 and December 13, private importers imported 2,300 metric tons of rice. As of now, approximately 90 percent of these consignments have been cleared by Customs.

(dailynews.lk)

Published Date: December 16, 2024