(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) –The government has decided to purchase all vegetable stocks of local vegetable farmers in Dambulla, Galewela, Naula, Laggala and Wilgamuwa areas from today (11), the Minister of Public Administration and Home Affairs, Janaka Bandara Tennakoon said.
Speaking at a special media briefing Friday, the Minister said the decision was taken after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa discussed to stop the unscrupulous traders from purchasing the crops from the poor farmers at a very low price and selling to the consumer at higher prices due to the closure of many economic centers and also to prevent unsafe movement of farmers at various places.
Accordingly, the purchase of vegetables at special prices will be done through the Divisional Secretariats, the Minister said.
Minister Tennakoon said the government will purchase all the vegetable stocks brought by the farmers at Dambulla Gamudawa Playground, Dambulla Old Weekly Fair, Temple Car Park, Pelwehera Government Farm, Galewela Grounds, Dewahuwa Agrarian Service Center, Laggala Agrarian Service Center, Wheelgamuwa Agrarian Services Center and Naula Alugolla Agrarian Services Center whole day.
He also said that the government has implemented a program to distribute the purchased vegetables to the needy areas through Divisional Secretariats The Minister pointed out that with the closure of the economic centers to prevent the people from contracting the coronavirus, the traders, who suggested to shut down the economic centers, disregarding the safety measures started a process of purchasing vegetables from farmers at very low prices and selling them at higher prices at various locations in the town.
