New paddy storage complex for Marandagahamula
Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa will initiate the
construction of a fully-equipped paddy storage complex and a trading
complex with all facilities at Marandagahamula, Divulapitiya on January
21.
It is being done to develop the Marandagahamula rice market - one of
Sri Lanka's leading wholesale rice markets - in accordance with the
Mahinda Chinthana Vision to stress the importance of the Divi Neguma
programme.
The work will begin on the advice of President Mahinda Rajapaksa on a
five acre-land at Marandagahamula town. It is expected to be completed
within three months. Marandagahamula Rice Traders' Association president
B K Ranjit expressed the association's gratitude to the government for
helping overcome the difficulties rice traders, producers and consumers
faced over the past 35 years.
The two complexes are being built parallel to the Divi Neguma
National Programme aimed at eliminating poverty in Sri Lanka by
strengthening family units economically and socially with community
participation.
The project will directly benefit 150 rice traders and 125 small and
medium scale rice mill owners and indirectly benefit millions of
consumers.
The quantity of rice sold at this marketing centre is five kilos per
day. Building the new storage and marketing complexes will provide a
long-term solution to the problems of rice traders, Ranjit said.
It will also help provide the country with rice wholesale at
reasonable prices. The project was launched following a request the
Marandagahamula Rice Traders' Association made to Minister Rajapaksa in
view of the difficulties these businessmen have been experiencing.
They have been transporting rice from various parts of the island to
this centre over the past three decades. |