The programme to distribute free rice to 2.9 million people will begin tomorrow (27).

Mr.Mahinda Amaraweera, the Minister of Agriculture mentioned that the Government will convert paddy purchased from farmers during the Maha season into rice and distribute it to low-income families. This programme for distribution of free rice will commence tomorrow (27).

He said that during the Maha season, the Government has made necessary arrangements to purchase 61300 metric tons of paddy from farmers. In the first phase, Rs. 10 billion was allocated for this purpose. The Ministry of Finance decided to purchase paddy through District Secretaries and Divisional Secretaries instead of the Paddy Marketing Board.

This rice will be distributed to 2 million low-income families. Accordingly, the government has decided to provide 10 kilograms of free rice per family for 02 months. The Minister stated that initially, the rice subsidy was intended for 2 million families, but it was later expanded to 2.9 million families.

The Minister expressed these views while participating in an event held yesterday (25) at Lunama in Hambantota.

The Minister added that 52% of the families living in Hambantota district have requested this free rice. Although large scale development activities were carried out in Hambantota district during the past period and a large number of farmers in the district cultivated paddy, it should be noted that 52% families still request subsidies.

Furthermore, the free rice distribution will take place in several districts including Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kandy, Ratnapura, Galle and Matara as per the requests, the minister said.

Distribution of free rice to low income families in Hambantota district will take place tomorrow (27) at Angunakolapelessa and Weeraketiya.