The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) says that two officials have been deployed at each rice mill to inspect the daily stock of rice being released.

The Authority adds that data is being collected regarding the purchase of paddy, daily production, release of rice stocks, and distribution.

Rice mill inspections in the Polonnaruwa and Hambantota districts began yesterday.

These inspections are being carried out based on instructions from the President to obtain reports on the daily rice stocks being released from the mills.

The Consumer Affairs Authority says that this process will continue for the next 10 days.

In the Polonnaruwa district, 8 large scale rice-producing institutions were inspected yesterday.

In the Hambantota district, 5 rice-producing institutions were inspected.

Ahead of the release of rice at the maximum retail price, rice mill owners reached an agreement with the President during discussions held the day before yesterday.

As per this agreement, the price of Nadu rice per kilogram should be Rs. 230.

The price for a kilogram of white Samba rice should be Rs. 220.

The price for an imported Nadu rice kilogram is Rs. 220.

The maximum retail price for a kilogram of Samba rice is set at Rs. 240.

The price for a kilogram of Keeri Samba rice is Rs. 260.

The President has also instructed that strict legal action be taken against those selling rice above these regulated prices.