An Hon. Member
2026-03-03
Hon. Uthumalebbe acknowledged the Deputy Minister's commitment to fund the Deegavapi–Alankulam road in 2026, then raised a separate concern regarding paddy farmers in Ampara who suffered financial losses during the recent Maha harvest season. The member noted that private buyers exploited the inability of farmers to sell wet paddy at fair prices, and requested that paddy drying machines be installed at Paddy Marketing Board stores in Ampara as a remedial measure.
Mr. Speaker, my first supplementary:
I thank the Hon. Deputy Minister for stating that funds will be allocated in 2026 for the Deegavapi–Alankulam road. During the recent Maha harvest, farmers in Ampara could not sell wet paddy at a fair price; private buyers purchased at low prices causing heavy losses to poor farmers. Can arrangements be made to install paddy drying machines at the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) stores in Ampara?