Rs. 500 Million is given to the Paddy Marketing Board for the purchase of Paddy by the Order of the Hon. President.

Mr. Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industries stated that yesterday (13), Hon. President Ranil Wickramasinghe decided to give Rs. 500 million to the Paddy Marketing Board to purchase paddy.

Under this, at least two paddy stores in each district will be opened for purchasing paddy from tomorrow (15).

Despite requests from the Ministry of Finance asking for an amount of Rs. 02 billion to purchase paddy in this Maha season, the officials of the Ministry of Finance did not give any positive response in this regard. Therefore, the Minister also mentioned that the Paddy Marketing Board has started purchasing paddy by obtaining an amount of Rs. 250 million from the Farmers’ Trust Fund.

The Minister who said that the officials of the Ministry of Finance did not give any support to purchase paddy, stated that the Hon. President was directly involved in this matter yesterday and accordingly decided to provide Rs. 500 million for it.

Further, the Minister said that he explained the need for the government to purchase paddy with the President, and the Hon. President who listened carefully to his request decided to provide this financial provision immediately.

The Minister mentioned this today (14) while starting the program to develop Padukka as a youth agriculture entrepreneurship village.

The discussion was held at the Padukka Divisional Secretariat. On that occasion, Member of Parliament Mr. Jagath Kumara, Commissioner General of the Department of Agrarian Development Mr. A.M.H.L. Abeyrathne and others participated.