Lanka to import rice from India

Colombo, Nov 5 (UNI) Sri Lanka will import 6,000 metric tonnes of rice from India, putting an end to the ban imposed by the Indian Government, media reports said today.

The contracted stockpile of Ponni Samba rice which was kept back in Tuticorin and Chennai ports following the ban is likely to be exported to Sri Lanka by next week, an official said.

''Import tax on rice has been eased. It is expected that the country would import 75,000 metric tonnes in two varieties by the end of this month,''the official was quoted as saying by Daily News.

Sri Lankan Association of Importers of Essential Food Items and Wholesale Traders spokesperson Hemaka Fernando said the development in the import of rice was a result of talks between the Sri Lankan President and Indian diplomats.

Gains in prices of wheat prompted some consumers in India to have more rice, reducing the amount available for export to the West Asia, West Africa and Sri Lanka.

UNI