Sri Lanka, Aug. 11 -- The government has purchased 27,458 metric tonnes of paddy so far, out of a planned total purchase of 39,500 metric tonnes, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said today (11).



Speaking at the weekly Cabinet Decisions media briefing, Minister Jayatissa said 105 paddy purchasing centres are currently operating across the country, while another 40 centres are expected to be opened.

He said the government is currently about 12,000 metric tonnes short of its initial purchasing target, with plans to purchase a further quantity after reaching that target.

The government has allocated Rs. 6 billion for the overall paddy purchasing programme, of which Rs. 3.302 billion has been spent to date, the Minister ...