The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe
Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe responded to an SO 27(2) question on rice supply, stating that annual national rice demand is 2.4 million metric tons and expected production from the Yala and Maha seasons could reach about 2.7 million metric tons, with current PMB and Sathosa stocks and procurement continuing. He outlined district-level production costs, guaranteed paddy procurement prices, maximum retail rice prices, and said Rs. 6,000 million had been allocated for PMB purchases with additional funding possible if needed. He also reported that 101,267.56 metric tons of rice had been imported up to 13 July 2025 and referred to crop insurance and programmes to reduce crop losses, with detailed responses tabled in the Library.
Verbatim record (translated)
Machine-translated from Sinhala / Tamil / English¶ 01 Briefly, then.
¶ 02 Hon. Speaker, the response to the question raised under SO 27(2) by the Hon. Sajith Premadasa on 09.07.2025 is as follows:
¶ 03 01. Annual national rice requirement is 2.4 million metric tons (MMT). Based on Yala and Maha harvests, production can reach about 2.7 MMT. Of this, 2.4 MMT is for human consumption and 0.3 MMT for other uses, notably animal feed. As at 30 June 2025, Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) stocks are 1,546 MT; Sathosa holds 3,700 MT. Procurement is ongoing.
¶ 04 02. Expected total Yala harvest: 2,091,990 MT of paddy (equivalent rice about 2.098 MMT).
¶ 05 03. Production cost per kg varies by district (illustrative figures): - Hambantota (irrigated): Rs. 66.06/kg - Ampara/Eastern (irrigated): Rs. 69.95/kg - Anuradhapura (irrigated): Rs. 77.35/kg - Kurunegala (irrigated): Rs. 78.10/kg - Mahaweli B (irrigated): Rs. 86.50/kg - Polonnaruwa (irrigated): Rs. 63.98/kg - Kalutara (rain-fed): Rs. 120.23/kg - Kurunegala (rain-fed): Rs. 99.49/kg
¶ 06 04. Guaranteed Procurement Prices (this year): - Nadu paddy: Rs. 120/kg - Samba paddy: Rs. 125/kg - Keeri Samba paddy: Rs. 132/kg Moist paddy purchase prices via designated PMB agents: - Nadu: Rs. 102/kg - Samba: Rs. 105/kg - Keeri Samba: Rs. 112/kg
¶ 07 05. Guaranteed prices are set as production cost plus 30%. Maximum retail prices: - Kekulu rice: Rs. 220/kg - Nadu rice: Rs. 230/kg - Samba rice: Rs. 240/kg - Keeri Samba: Rs. 260/kg
¶ 08 06. The Government has allocated Rs. 6,000 million to PMB for paddy purchases, and Treasury support to Sathosa to facilitate purchases. Procurement will continue and additional funds will be allocated if required.
¶ 09 07. Rs. 6,000 million is allocated for harvest purchasing. If PMB intake increases due to farmer supply, allocations will be enhanced.
¶ 10 08. According to Sri Lanka Customs, from 01 January to 13 July 2025, 101,267.56 MT of rice have been imported; CIF value Rs. 15,351.92 million.
¶ 11 09. On special crop insurance and measures to minimize crop damage: the Government’s insurance mechanism applies; detailed information is tabled. Programs to minimize losses include: - Timely cultivation scheduling - Block/cluster cultivation - Integrated pest management - Integrated plant nutrient management - Post-harvest technology adoption - Introducing climate/soil-suitable varieties - Climate-smart practices - Human–wildlife conflict mitigation Farmer awareness, training, field implementation and projects are underway.
¶ 12 - Detailed answers placed in the Library.
Provenance
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- Hansard, Wednesday, 23 July 2025 ·No. 1754386160089643 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
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Cite as: The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe. 10th Parliament, Parliament of Sri Lanka. Hansard, 23 July 2025. No. 1754386160089643. Politick, https://staging.politick.io/lk/speeches/4154