He was addressing the gathering after participating in a ceremony at the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy to mark the offering of the first portion of the Yala harvest to the Sacred tooth relic on Thursday (3).The ceremony was jointly organised by the Agriculture, Rural Economic Affairs, Irrigation and Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry and the Organisation of the United Farmers Association.
He said earlier, the Committee on Cost of Living decided to increase the Customs duty on B onion exports from Rs. 20 to Rs. 40 per kilo to safeguard local B onion farmers. This enabled B onion farmers to rake in a higher income from the bountiful harvest obtained this year for the first time in history.He said another factor for the high price of local B onions was the ban on B onion exports imposed by India owing to some problems.
He said the price of paddy would be increased from January 1 next year and a guaranteed price would also be introduced for paddy." Although the Yala paddy output decreased due to less rainfall, we expect a good Maha harvest on account of the heavy rainfall experienced in the country," he said. Central Province Governor Keerthi Tennakoon was also present on the occasion.