Aug 14, Colombo: The Chairman of Sri Lanka Agricultural Production Marketing Authority Priyankara Jayarathna said that the government would commence purchasing paddy at registered prices in major paddy cultivating districts from August 25. The purchasing of paddy has already commenced in Ampara district.

The government expects to purchase 30,000 metric tons of paddy in the Yala season at Rs. 16.50 per kilo of Nadu and Rs. 17.50 per kilo of Samba paddy. The purchasing is conducted through Corporative Societies and farmers’ organizations.

This is the last purchase of paddy by the Agricultural Production Marketing Authority since Sri Lanka government will officially re-establish the Paddy Marketing Board with the patronage of the President Mahinda Rajapaksa on September 03.

All the assets and duties of the current Agricultural Production Marketing Authority will be vested to the Paddy Marketing Board. The government is currently issuing 45,000 metric tons of paddy from government paddy stores to control the price of rice. Government still has 110,000 metric tons of paddy stored.