The Hon. Namal Karunaratne

¶ 01 An important question. Successive administrations left farmers drying paddy by the roadside. The Government has very few dryers, no silos, and no active state mills. In this context, problems arise. We plan to purchase over 300,000 metric tons. Existing storage can hold about 326,000 metric tons. There are 353 government warehouses under the Paddy Marketing Board, Food Department and others; many are unsuitable and are being repaired. Paddy must be dried to 14% moisture; the state lacks facilities. Despite difficulties, we will purchase paddy, using private-sector dryers and support. We will also remove obstacles for small and medium millers to buy; large millers too will buy. Thus three channels will operate, not just one as now.