No more paddy cultivation unless prices are increased, farmers warn

By Dayaratne Embogama

Colombo, June 15 (Daily Mirror) - Paddy cultivators in the Rajarata region yesterday warned that they would abandon paddy cultivation from the next Maha season unless the guaranteed price for paddy was increased.

They demanded an increase of the guaranteed price of Nadu paddy to be between Rs. 140 and Rs.150 a kilo and wet paddy at Rs. 118 a kilo.

President of Anuradhapura District Farmer Organisation Alliance Punchirala Ratnayake told the media yesterday that this decision was taken by the farmer organizations.

He further said that their agitation would be expanded to other areas as well.

Representatives of farmer organizations in Padaviya, Wahalkada, Huruluwewa, Mahakanadarawa, Wilachchiya, Rajangana, Nachchaduwa, Nuwarawewa, Tissawewa, Maradankadawala, and Habarana areas were present at the occasion.