The government is considering further rice imports based on domestic requirements, Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe told the Parliamentary Advisory Committee on Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development.
Samarasinghe said the Co-operative Wholesale Establishment is continuing its paddy purchasing programme for milling operations while also procuring potatoes for distribution through the state retail network.
He said potatoes are currently being purchased at Rs. 220 per kilogram and will be sold through Lanka Sathosa outlets.
The minister also noted that the CWE has allocated Rs. 1 billion to improve paddy drying, storage and related infrastructure facilities.
During the committee discussions, several farmer representatives raised concerns about the challenges facing the agriculture sector. They cited rising fuel costs and other production-related expenses as factors affecting farming operations.
Sunil Rajapaksha said farmers are considering protests in Colombo over concerns about the impact of current policies on paddy cultivation.
Government Decisions Ministerial Update
Last modified: June 9, 2026
