By editor

A racket involving the sale of rice that had been submerged in floodwaters and rendered unfit for human consumption and has been fraudulently cleaned and repackaged for the market, has been uncovered by Public Health Inspectors, according to reports.

President of the Sri Lanka Public Health Inspectors’ Association, Pradeep Boralessa, stated that Public Health Inspectors in the Harispattuwa Medical Officer of Health Division in the Kandy District had seized 1,000 kilogrammes of such fraudulently prepared rice.

Mr. Boralessa said his officers are keeping a close watch to determine whether similar operations are taking place in any other part of the island and urged the business community not to engage in such illegal activities.

He further emphasised the importance of the public remaining particularly vigilant, especially during this period, about the quality of the rice they purchase.

He also appealed to the public to report any information regarding such unlawful practices to their area’s Public Health Inspector. If that is not possible, he urged them to notify the 24-hour emergency hotline of the Disaster Management Unit of the Ministry of Health and Media via 1926.

Published Date: December 7, 2025