Muditha Perera, Chairman of the United Rice Producers Association, has stated that even farmers who voted for the Compass will not sell their paddy to the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) at a low price.
He emphasized that unless the price of a kilo of Nadu paddy drops below Rs. 120 within the next two weeks, the government will struggle to supply rice of the required quality under its controlled price. He further warned that at this rate, Sri Lanka may be forced to import rice again by September or October to compensate for the shortfall.
Perera criticized the government, which he claims assumed that farmers would willingly sell their paddy at lower rates simply because they supported the ruling party. He dismissed this notion, stating that farmers prioritize fair compensation over political loyalty and would not sell their hard-earned produce at a loss.
He also challenged the government’s claim that paddy prices were being set based on 30% added to production costs, calling it a fabrication. According to him, officials were instead instructed to calculate the highest possible price for paddy based on the government’s fixed price for rice, rather than ensuring fair compensation for farmers.
Perera further argued that the price being offered is insufficient for paddy farmers, who have endured months of hardship. He pointed out that a farmer should at least be able to buy a coconut for every kilo of paddy sold, highlighting the economic struggles faced by the agricultural sector.
He also recalled the August 15, 2023 protest in Polonnaruwa, where the All Ceylon Farmers’ Federation—including Namal Karunaratne and other activists—demanded a price of Rs. 130 per kilo of rice, underscoring the ongoing battle for fair pricing in the agriculture sector.
