Sri Lanka has spent a staggering USD 90.3 million on rice imports during the first five months of this year. The data reveals a significant surge in imports, particularly in the month of May, where USD 49 million was spent solely on bringing foreign rice into the country.
This massive expenditure comes despite substantial domestic investments made in the agricultural sector in the preceding year. Reports indicate that in 2025, the Paddy Marketing Board purchased 16,257 metric tons of paddy directly from local farmers, incurring a cost of Rs. 19,633 million. Furthermore, the board spent Rs. 6.2 billion to maintain a secure buffer stock of 49,612 metric tons of paddy.
In addition to purchasing and storing paddy, the government allocated Rs. 37 billion last year for the fertilizer subsidy program aimed at boosting local cultivation.
