Govt Fast-Tracks Paddy Buying: Sathosa to Begin Sales Next Week

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Sri Lankan government has announced a special integrated initiative to expedite the purchase of paddy, in collaboration with the Paddy Marketing Board and Sathosa. 

The decision was made during a meeting of the Food Security Committee held yesterday (5) at the Presidential Secretariat.

Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe, stated that under this new plan, the government aims to fast-track paddy procurement to stabilize the market and ensure food security.

Currently, the government holds approximately 13,000 metric tons of paddy, according to the minister. 

He further noted that only around 20% of the cultivated land has completed harvesting so far, indicating that a significant portion of the Yala season’s yield is yet to be collected.

Discussions also included plans to purchase up to 100,000 metric tons of paddy under the new scheme. Starting next week, Sathosa outlets will begin selling rice sourced from the recently acquired stocks.

Minister Samarasinghe confirmed that paddy purchased during the Yala season is now being milled and will be released to the market through Sathosa, ensuring affordability and accessibility for consumers.