According to the household revenue and expenditure survey conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics, the estimated annual rice consumption of Sri Lanka is 2,460,000 metric tons and, the annual Keeri Samba consumption is 10% out of that which mark an amount of 246,000 metric tons.
Considering the scarcity of Keeri Samba in the domestic market and the selling Keeri Samba at prices exceeding the control price, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the joint proposal submitted by the Minister of Agriculture, Live Stock, Lands and Irrigation and the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development to release from the requirement of obtaining import control licenses to import GR 11/Ponni Samba which is considered as a alternative to Keeri Samba, subject to a maximum of 520 metric tons per importer, from 15.10.2025 to 15.11.2025, in keeping with the recommendations of the Food Policies and Security Committee.
