Is the Chinese rice stock organic?

China has agreed to provide one million metric tonnes of rice to Sri Lanka as a donation, Sri Lanka's Trade Minister - Dr. Bandula Gunawardena has said.

This is to mark the 70th anniversary of the Ceylon-China Rubber-Rice Pact, signed between Sri Lanka and the People's Republic of China in 1952.

This was also taken up during today's (19) Cabinet briefing where a question was raised whether the rice consignment would be organic.

Noting that they trusted it to be so, Cabinet spokesman - minister Dullas Alahapperuma added that they were unable to give a specific answer at the time and would get back after clarifying it with the Trade minister.

Speaking at the Cabinet briefing, co-cabinet spokesman - Ramesh Pathirana said that Sri Lanka would receive the donation in March.