During the discussion, the President pointed out that a key concern was the fact that paddy stocks purchased during last year’s Yala season had still not been released to the market in sufficient quantities. The President inquired into the measures already taken, as well as proposals being considered, to clear these stocks and free up storage facilities.
The President also instructed officials of the Ministry of Finance to allocate the necessary funds for the purchase of paddy during the current Yala season.
The condition of storage facilities at district level was also discussed. The President noted that similar issues could be avoided in the future by maintaining an accurate data system on warehouse conditions and buffer stocks and instructed officials to take the necessary steps in this regard.
President Dissanayake further emphasised that maintaining adequate strategic paddy reserves is essential, particularly in view of potential climatic conditions and stated that this should not be treated as part of the routine process but rather as a matter requiring special attention.
Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation K.D. Lalkantha; Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe; Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne; Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation D.P. Wickramasinghe; Director General of the National Budget Department Jude Nilukshan; Chairman of the Paddy Marketing Board A.M.U. Pinnalanda; Director General of Agriculture W.A.R.T. Wickramarachchi; Director of the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute A.L. Sandhika; Commissioner General of the Department of Agrarian Development Dhammika Ranatunga; and several other officials were present at the discussion.
