Industry & Commerce Ministry denies nadu rice raid in Polonnaruwa

Refuting media reports of a raid conducted by Public Health Inspectors at the Polonnaruwa rice mill in connection with Lak Sathosa, the Industry and Commerce Ministry yesterday said that the sealed nadu rice stock was fit for consumption. 

Several media reports alleged that a few days ago a group of PHIs from Minneriya had raided a rice mill holding 2,450 metric tonnes of nadu rice which was unsuitable for consumption. 

Industry and Commerce Ministry Secretary T.M.K.B. Tennakoon at yesterday’s media briefing - Pic by Shehan Gunasekara 

“That nadu rice stock was given to the Mihiri rice mill for the polishing process and we were supposed to sell it through Lak Sathosa outlets before next 23 September prior to its expiration. However, the media has mistakenly labelled it unsuitable for people’s consumption,” said the Secretary to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, T.M.K.B. Tennakoon.

According to him this nadu rice stock was imported in 2014 from India within the terms of the previous Government and this was the last stock of rice which was still in the storerooms of the Cooperative Development Department.

Tennakoon added that the ministry had analysed the condition of the rice stock through the Institute of Post Harvest Technology and the institute’s report had said that the stock was suitable for consumption.

He added that he would call for another report from the Analysis Department today over the condition of the nadu rice stock.

Meanwhile, Polonnaruwa Magistrate Ruwan Heenatigala yesterday ordered the release of the owner of the rice mill, Sahul Hameed Mohommed Risban, after he was granted bail with one surety of Rs. 100,000 after being arrested by the Police on Saturday. 

Lawyers representing the suspect said he was polishing the rice stock following an order from Sathosa.

The Magistrate called for a new analysis report and ordered Sathosa to submit its statement to court on 8 September. (CG)