Government to increase purchase price of paddy

Colombo (News 1st) - The cost of living committee has approved a proposal to increase the purchase price set for parry by the paddy marketing board. A senior officer attached to the Agricultural ministry said, based on this decision the price set for a kilogram of Nadu and Samba paddy will be increased by Rs 2 subject to cabinet approval. Thereby 1Kg of Naadu paddy which was at Rs. 38 will now be increased to Rs. 40, while 1Kg of Samba paddy which was at Rs. 41 will now be priced at Rs. 43. The officer went onto note that the paddy marketing board has already receieved over 6,000 MT of paddy produced during the Yala season. The majority of paddy had been received from the Ampara District. He added that paddy will be purchased continuously until the harvesting period ends.