The Government announced the new maximum retail prices (MRP) for rice, which will become effective on 1 April 2019. The price of Nadu rice has been set at LKR 80 (USD 0.44) per kg while the price of Samba rice at LKR 85 per kg (USD 0.47). In January, the average retail price of Samba rice was around LKR 112 (USD 0.62) per kg, while price of white Nadu rice was around LKR 94 (USD 0.52) per kg. The measure, which follows the announcement of the new 2019 main season paddy procurement prices (FPMA Food Policies), aims to protect consumers from high market prices.