Sri Lanka is set to initiate paddy procurement for the 2026 Yala season starting July 15, with the government allocating 6 billion rupees and an additional 10 billion rupees to be provided through state banks as Odapana loans, according to a statement from the President’s Media Division.
Dr. Nandika Kumanayake, the Secretary to the President, has instructed officials to work alongside Sathosa to clear out existing paddy stocks in warehouses in preparation for the incoming harvest.
As reported by the President’s Media Division, the Paddy Marketing Board currently has around 120,000 metric tonnes of paddy stored in its facilities. “Tenders have been issued for the release of approximately 60,000 metric tonnes into the market, while measures are already underway to supply an additional 20,000 metric tonnes to Sathosa,” the statement noted.
Approximately 475,000 hectares of paddy land were cultivated during this Yala season, as discussed in a meeting led by Kumanayake, which also included D P Wickramasinghe, the Secretary of the Agriculture Ministry.
Wickramasinghe mentioned that farmers are awaiting the commencement of paddy purchases by the Paddy Marketing Board before they proceed to sell their crops.
The meeting also addressed the need for additional storage facilities, considering options from various government entities such as cooperative societies and the Department of Agrarian Development, as well as the possibility of leasing warehouses from the private sector.
(Colombo/July 9, 2026)
