Sri Lanka, July 8 -- The flooding of the domestic market with imported rice ahead of the harvesting season has triggered the current crisis in the paddy marketing sector, according to analysts.

As much as 156,285 tonnes of Ponni Samba rice from India and another 519 tonnes from China had been imported in recent months after the Government relaxed import restrictions despite the approaching Yala harvesting season.

In addition, 3,797.5 tonnes of Basmati rice had been imported from India, while another 6.8 tonnes had come from China.

Farmers across the country have staged protests in recent weeks demanding better prices for their Yala harvest, which is currently being collected in major rice-producing districts.

Several farmer organizat...