Potato farmers protest : Co-operative Development Department owes them Rs. 21 million

Colombo (News1st) - A group of potato farmers engaged in a protest opposite the Co-operative Development Department in Union Place Colombo. Potato farmers in the Uva Paranagama and Welimada, as well as the President of the All Ceylon Peasants' Federation, were present at this protest. The farmers claimed that the Department of Co-operative Development purchased 2,046,582 kg of potatoes from the farmers. The farmers claim that the government should pay an amount of Rs.18 million in total, out of which only Rs.16 million have been paid to them. The farmers further claim that a sum of Rs.21,720,487.00 should be paid to them by the government. A group of farmers discussed the matter with the officials of the Department of Co-operative Development and reached an agreement regarding the payments.