The Paddy Marketing Board says that a committee has been appointed for the amendment of the certified price of rice.

Its chairman, Manjula Pinnalanda says that the committee comprises representatives from several institutions, including the
Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute and the Institute of Post Harvest Technology.

This committee is set to conduct a review of the application prices used for paddy cultivation.

The Paddy Marketing Board says that subsequently, the certified price of rice at which stocks will be purchased this season will be decided through this committee.

During the previous Yala season, the certified price for Nadu rice was Rs. 105 per kilogram, Samba rice was Rs. 115 per kilogram, and Keeri Samba rice was Rs. 130 per kilogram.

Meanwhile, the Paddy Marketing Board also says that storage facilities for the Maha season’s harvest, have already been prepared.

It was also announced that the purchase of stocks of harvest for the Maha season is scheduled to commence next month.

(News1st)
(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by News1st has not been edited by SLM staff)

It is better for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to leave his residence before he is asked to do so, Cabinet spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said today (Jan. 21).

Speaking at the weekly Cabinet briefing, Dr. Jayatissa stated that the people have given a mandate to the government to abolish privileges of politicians and ease the politicians’ burden on the people.

He explained that according to the provisions of the Presidents’ Entitlements Act, former Presidents or their widows are entitled to one-third of their salary.

“Although Mr. Rajapaksa was not in the Parliament that passed this Act, he had been in several governments and therefore, should understand its provisions… If he understands this, it is better for him to leave on his own accord without waiting until he is told to vacate the residence,” he said.

Cabinet Spokesman – Minister of Health and Mass Media – Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa today (Jan. 21) stated that several politicians are linked to the company which had supplied the ‘Papaverine’  injection.

Speaking at the weekly Cabinet briefing held today (Jan. 21), he said that government has spent Rs. 342.49 million to import the drug from 2019 to 2023.

“There was no pricing formula earlier and the government had purchased the medicines at the price determined by the companies,” he added.

He also said that an investigation will be initiated to find out how approval was given to this company to purchase the drug at such higher prices.

Dr. Jayatissa further said that he also will make a special statement in this regard at Parliament tomorrow (Jan. 22), as the Health Minister.

Earlier, it was reported that the vaccine, which was once sold for Rs.76,000 now being reduced to Rs. 370.