Illegally colored rice sold in Sri Lankan markets

(October 31, Colombo - Lanka Polity) Some unscrupulous traders in Sri Lanka have begun a new scam of coloring red raw rice with the purpose of selling them in higher prices. 

Sri Lankans traditionally prefer red rice than white rice and the rice with red crust find better prices in the market.

Coloring grains and cereals is against the law of the country. However, in Bandaragama alone, a suburban town in Western Province, 18 traders have been so far produced in courts for this offense this year, said the Public Health Medical Officer C.M. Jayalath. 

Colored rice and cereals are sold in Sri Lanka's markets freely since the authorities do not conduct raids regularly.