President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has pledged that Sri Lanka will never again face a crisis over paddy prices, announcing a comprehensive government-backed purchasing plan aimed at stabilizing market rates and safeguarding farmers from exploitation.
Speaking at a public rally held today (April 20) in Polonnaruwa, the President outlined measures already taken by his administration to guarantee price security for the country’s rice farmers. Among them is a significant allocation of Rs. 500 million to the Paddy Marketing Board to purchase paddy directly from growers.
“We were ready. We renovated our warehouses—capable of storing 300,000 metric tons—that had been left in disrepair,” the President stated. “We made a purchasing plan and allocated funds to restore collapsed storage facilities. As an initial step, Rs. 500 million was released to the Paddy Marketing Board to begin purchases. Sathosa has also drawn up a plan to procure additional stocks.”
Emphasizing his government’s approach to maintaining fair pricing, President Dissanayake noted that a control price has already been established to ensure that paddy is not sold below cost. “We said we’ll buy it if it goes lower than the set price—if it’s higher, others can purchase it. But we won’t allow paddy to be sold for a pittance ever again.”
He also made it clear that the government’s intention is not to control or monopolize the rice market, but rather to provide a safety net for farmers. “We’re not in this to stockpile rice. We’re here to ensure the price remains stable and fair. The government’s role is to prevent the farmer from being forced to throw away their harvest.”
The President’s remarks come amid growing concerns over fluctuating agricultural prices, particularly in the wake of economic challenges that have affected input costs, distribution, and market access for farmers across the country.
Farmers and agricultural unions have long called for a consistent government policy to protect the value of their crops, especially during peak harvesting seasons when middlemen often take advantage of falling prices. The President’s declaration appears to be a response to these demands, aimed at restoring confidence among rural agricultural communities.
Whether the initiative proves sustainable in the long term remains to be seen, but the government’s message is clear: under this administration, the farmer will not be abandoned.
