Samba at Rs 65 a kilo - Trade Minister

Irangika RANGE

Co-operatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando issued instructions to the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) chairman K B Jayasinghe to mill all Samba paddy stocks stored in PMB granaries and sell them through the islandwide Sathosa outlets at a concessionary rate of Rs.65 per kilo.

The Minister was addressing a two day seminar for PMB field officers held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute yesterday.

He said the move is suggested as a relief measure for consumers and that steps have been taken to sell raw rice (Sudu Kekulu and Rathu Kekulu )to the public at Rs 45 through Sathosa outlests.

The Minister said: "When the President assumed office, a ton of fertilizer cost Rs 3,500 and a kilo of paddy could not be sold even for Rs 12. 'The President however provided fertilizer at Rs 350 and ensured a guaranteed price of Rs 28 to 30 for paddy".

While ensuring a reasonable price for the cultivator, a reasonable price was also assured to the consumer, he said.