Cyclone-hit Myanmar to supply rice to Sri Lanka

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Monday , May 12, 2008 at 1218 hrs With India and Pakistan showing their reluctance to supply rice to Sri Lanka, cyclone hit Myanmar has agreed to go ahead with its contractual rice export obligations that will benefit the island nation to meet its requirements.

Myanmar had agreed to export one lakh metric tones of the food grain of which 20,000 tonnes have already arrived in Sri Lanka.

According to Sri Lankan officials, the consignment of rice of about 50,000 tons from Myanmar has not been hampered by the cyclone and will arrive in the island as committed. Myanmar, a major rice exporting country, is facing criticism on its reported decision to go ahead with exports of the food grain despite thousands of cyclone hit people in its country needing food and other assistance.

Sri Lanka has provided a sum of 25,000 dollars to Myanmar as assistance for cyclone relief and has assured all assistance in its recovery efforts.

Besides Myanmar, Sri Lanka is also looking forward for rice imports from Thailand.

The Trade and Commerce Ministry of Sri Lanka is making all efforts to sell 20,000 tonnes of rice imported from Myanmar at Rs 55 (Sri Lankan Rupees) a kg.

According to media reports, last week three ships carrying the cargo intended for Sri Lanka were partially loaded in Myanmar.