PM stresses need for reliable agri purchasing mechanisms

ROHAN Mathes reporting from Anamaduwa

PRIME MINISTER Mahinda Rajapakse has stressed the need of a mechanism to purchase the paddy and crop output produced by the farmer and retail outlets from which people could purchase their needs at an affordable price.

Speaking at a rally in Anamaduma, the Premier said: "The UNP in their two year period, destroyed and sold vital institutions such as the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) for scrap. They did not identify the pulse, aspirations, lifestyles, needs and aspirations of the common man.

Now there is no CWE, from which the consumers could purchase their needs at low costs. The time has come for us to strengthen the CWE. The private sector should be encouraged to coordinate with the state sector and form this mechanism."

He further said that UNP leader Ranil Wickremasinghe while holding the Executive Premiership, even entered into a Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) with the LTTE.

Although the CFA was good, the Prime Minister or the President of the country cannot go into territory held by the LTTE. The Police and the Armed Forces were also deprived of entry. This is a crucial issue yet to be resolved, he added.