Feb 23, Colombo: Sri Lanka government has allocated two billion rupees to purchase paddy in the coming Maha harvesting season which indicates the reception of a bumper harvest in chief paddy cultivating areas.

Island wide 110,000 MTs of paddy will be purchased under the first stage with this allocation by the Sri Lanka Agriculture Products Marketing Authority (SLAPMA).

SLAPMA Chairman Priyankara Jayaratna said that the purchasing of paddy would be started from March 1 covering six regions including North Central, East, South, Wayamba, and Central provinces.

The government certified price per kilo of Samba is Rs. 17.50 while a kilo of Nadu will be purchased at Rs. 16.50.