Farmers in Badulla accuse the government of only purchasing selected portions of the potato harvest under the certified price. They say that as the private sector too does not purchase what is leftover, they are facing a major crisis.

Farmers who were anxiously waiting for potato prices to decline, are now being made to wait until their harvest is purchased. Farmers say they have reached the end of their tether as a result of not receiving a fair price for their produce.

Potato farmers from areas including Boralanda and Welimada, joined this demonstration. Although the government purchases potatoes from the farmers via Sathosa at the certified price of Rs.80 per kilogramme, farmers say the selection process has caused problems.

While the farmers’ trust deteriorated in this way, private traders at the Keppetipola Economic Centre in Welimada were not purchasing potatoes even at the rate of Rs.55 a kilogramme

• Electric fence removed for Parakrama Samudra Jogging Track; Locals want it back
• Chandrika & SLFP remember SWRD separately
• People need a path to survival, and NOT jogging tracks – Sajith
• This Govt. does not sell National assets: Rohitha
• 71 COVID-19 deaths confirmed for Saturday (25); Total fatalities increased to 12,680