Sri Lanka, Jan. 28 -- Cabinet Spokesman, Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa says that steps will be taken to establish a guaranteed price for paddy purchase as soon as market prices begin to decline.

Speaking during the Cabinet press conference held today (28), the Minister emphasized that at present, it is more beneficial for farmers to sell their paddy to the private sector rather than to the government.

"The benefit for farmers at this moment is not to supply paddy to the government but to sell it to private buyers who process it into rice and release it to the market."

"However, after large-scale paddy purchases, the government must maintain a stock to manage supply. We are intervening by repairing paddy warehouses, and the government ...