No rice shortage expected despite drought - Wasantha Samarasinghe

Farmers complain that a proper price still does not exist for the rice paddy harvested during the previous Maha season, even as the harvesting for the Yala season begins in several areas.

Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe states that a kilogramme of paddy currently holds a price of Rs. 120.

The Minister, speaking yesterday at a function in Eppawala, added that a rice shortage will not arise in the future even if a drought occurs.

Farmers in the Ranwala area of Godakawela, Ratnapura, face severe difficulties due to the inability to secure the required fertiliser for their crops, despite over a month and a half passing since they commenced cultivation for this Yala season.

The farmers also alleged that a proper price for the harvest remains undecided, despite harvesting activities already underway.