Sri Lanka, Aug. 11 -- The Cabinet has approved a plan to convert 30,000 metric tonnes of paddy held by the Paddy Marketing Board into rice and release it to the market.

The decision follows a recommendation made at the 34th Food Policy and Security Committee meeting held on July 22, 2026, with the aim of supporting the government's paddy procurement programme and ensuring an adequate rice supply.

Under the approved programme, the Cooperative Wholesale Trading Corporation (CWE) will arrange for the 30,000 metric tonnes of paddy to be processed and packed as rice.

The CWE will invite expressions of interest from rice mill owners registered with the Paddy Marketing Board to process the paddy and supply rice in 5 kg, 10 kg, 25 kg and 50 kg...