Former United National Party Deputy Leader and Parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayake has called on the Government to take immediate action to address the challenges faced by paddy farmers, particularly concerns over paddy prices.
Speaking to the media, Karunanayake said farmers are seeking a fair price for their harvest and urged the Government to provide a clear response on how it intends to protect their livelihoods.
Referring to concerns raised by farmers, he said the estimated cost of producing one kilogram of paddy is around Rs. 135, questioning how farmers could sustain their livelihoods if the purchase price remains at Rs. 120 per kilogram.
Karunanayake argued that relying on limited private sector participation would not be sufficient to stabilise the market, claiming that uncertainty over pricing has discouraged private buyers from purchasing paddy.
He warned that unless the issue is addressed promptly, market prices could continue to fluctuate, creating further uncertainty for both farmers and consumers.
Karunanayake also recalled that similar challenges were faced during previous United National Party administrations, but said those issues were managed through coordinated intervention involving both the Government and the private sector to balance supply and demand.
