COLOMBO (News1st): The government on Sunday said it has purchased around 750 metric tonnes of vegetables from farmers who were forced to hawk their produce on roadsides following the decision to close down economic centres.

Farmers in the island nation have been severely affected as a result of being unable to sell their produce, while another segment of the public complains of starvation, underscoring the need for a proper distribution mechanism in the country.

The Presidential Task Force on Essential Services said that 350 metric tonnes of produce were purchased from the Nuwara Eliya economic centre, and 400 metric tonnes from the Dambulla economic centre.

Local farmers bring their produce to economic centres where it is sold to wholesalers. However, a decision was made this week to close down these facilities to curb the spread of COVID – 19.

The government said it is purchasing vegetables from the economic centres in Dambulla and Keppetipola today.

• Sri Lanka: Fuel Prices Revised With Effect From Midnight
• Triple Victory for Ogilvy Group at Campaign Asia’s Agency of the Year Awards 2023
• Half of Sri Lanka believes local political forces involved in Easter attacks
• Sri Lanka’s key inflation rate accelerates in November
• Sri Lanka: OCC deal covers US$ 5.9 Bn of public debt; Finance Ministry discloses more details