July 19, Colombo (LNW): The Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) has purchased 305 metric tonnes of paddy during the initial phase of its 2026 Yala season procurement programme, reflecting the steady progress of the Government’s paddy purchasing initiative.
PMB Chairman Manjula Pinnalanda said the total volume was acquired over the four-day period between July 13 and 17, following the launch of the seasonal procurement campaign.
According to the Chairman, the highest quantity of paddy has so far been collected from the Ampara District. Significant volumes have also been purchased from the districts of Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Hambantota, where harvesting activities are currently under way.
The PMB officially launched the Yala season procurement programme on July 13 by opening paddy storage facilities in key cultivation and harvesting areas to ensure farmers have convenient access to Government purchasing centres.
Under the guaranteed price scheme announced earlier, the Board is buying Nadu paddy at Rs. 120 per kilogram, Samba at Rs. 130 per kilogram and Keeri Samba at Rs. 140 per kilogram.
Pinnalanda also noted that paddy procurement is now being conducted through 143 PMB storage centres across the country, with the Board continuing its efforts to provide farmers with a reliable market and stable prices for their harvest.