EconomyPoliticsHOTThursday, July 9, 2026

Sri Lanka to Commence Yala Season Paddy Procurement on July 13

TLDR

Yala paddy procurement began July 13th in Northern, Eastern, Ampara regions.
Prices: Nadu Rs. 120/kg, Samba Rs. 130/kg, Keeri Samba Rs. 140/kg.
25 MT purchased on Day 1; target 39,500 MT for Yala season.
Farmers distressed; prices don't cover costs; unsold Maha paddy remains.

Paddy procurement for the Yala season is scheduled to commence on July 15, as harvesting is currently underway. President's Secretary Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake has instructed Ministry of Agriculture officials to expedite the process, including clearing existing warehouse stocks and preparing for the new harvest in collaboration with Sathosa. The Treasury has allocated Rs. 6 billion for the procurement, with an additional Rs. 10 billion designated by state banks as loans for small and medium-scale mill owners. These directives were issued following a discussion on paddy procurement held on July 7, aiming to support farmers cultivating approximately 475,000 hectares this season.

5 Updates

Update #6\u00b7 Jul 14 · 10:02 AM

On the first day of the Yala season paddy purchasing programme (July 13th), the government purchased 25 metric tonnes of paddy, valued at approximately Rs. 3 million. Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa confirmed this during a Cabinet media briefing on July 14th, adding that the government aims to procure a total of 39,500 metric tonnes of paddy during the Yala season. Paddy procurement continued for a second day (July 14th), with warehouses in Addalachchena and Akkaraipattu in Ampara opened for purchases.

Update #5\u00b7 Jul 13 · 9:31 AM

The Paddy Marketing Board has prepared 148 warehouses for the commencement of Yala season paddy procurement.

Update #4\u00b7 Jul 13 · 2:16 AM

Paddy purchasing for the Yala season commenced today, July 13th, from the Ampara district, with specific mention of the Uhana - Palamskandura government paddy warehouse. The Paddy Marketing Board plans to purchase paddy at 143 locations. Meanwhile, farmers are expressing distress, citing that government prices do not cover production costs and that they still have unsold paddy from the Maha season stored at home.

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