Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena instructed the State Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government Ministry Secretary Pradeep Yasaratne to investigate the allegations of providing substandard rice and accepting money in the government’s free rice distribution programme.

Following the Prime Minister’s instructions, the Secretary has directed District Secretaries to carry out an urgent investigation and submit a report within a week concerning the problems in rice distribution programme.

The government recently decided to provide a rice subsidy to groups affected by the current economic situation. This subsidy was successfully implemented across the country under several categories.

However, allegations were raised that the rice distributed in the Badulla district was of inferior quality. Further, it was alleged that free rice had been sold in the Hambanthota district. The Secretary also mentioned that the ministry plans to deploy a special investigation team to determine whether this programme is conducted methodically.

Published Date: April 28, 2024