June 13, Colombo: Sri Lanka Ministry of Agricultural Development and Peasant Services announced that around 84,000 metric tons of paddy from the Maha season harvest was purchased through the Sri Lanka Agricultural Marketing Authority. The government spent Rs. 1.5 billion to purchase the paddy.

The maximum amount was purchased from Polonnaruwa district and the stock amounted to 37,000 metric tons worth of Rs. 620 million. The second largest purchase was from Anuradhapura district. Government spent Rs. 420 million to purchase 25,000 metric tons of paddy from there, stated the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Peasant Services.

The government paddy stores now have 103,000 metric tons of paddy stocks. The government expects to issue 20,000 metric tons to stabilize the prices of rice.