By: Isuru Parakrama Colombo (LNW): The government will begin distributing free rice to 2.9 million families in need, starting from today (27), in a move to ensure food security in Sri Lanka, said Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera. Accordingly, the rice will be distributed from the paddy purchased from farmers during this year’s Maha season. The government will also be distributing each family 10 kilograms of rice per month for a period of two months. The distribution expects to cover Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kandy, Ratnapura, Galle and Matara.