News
Govt. accused of facilitating exploitation of paddy farmers
by Norman Palihawadane and Anuradha Hiripitiyage
Farmers’ associations and political parties are flaying the government for its failure to set a certified price for paddy and leaving small-scale farmers vulnerable to exploitation by powerful rice millers.
Both the National Freedom Front (NFF) and the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) have blamed the government for prioritising the interests of the big-time millers over those of struggling farmers.
The NFF has accused the government of deliberately withholding a minimum price for paddy as a favour to millers who allegedly supported the ruling party during elections.
Karunathilaka Herath, leader of the NFF’s Farmers’ Wing, said, “President Anura Kumara Dissanayake claims to be the son of a farmer, but he has failed to offer a solution to the paddy crisis. The government has bowed not only to multinational corporations but also to five leading millers in the country.”
Herath said that the government had reneged on its campaign promise to support the agricultural sector. “A few months have passed since the government was formed, but farmers have been left to fend for themselves, just as they were under previous administrations. Paddy harvesting has already begun, but farmers are without a proper price for their produce. Prices vary widely from district to district, leaving farmers uncertain and desperate,” he said.
The Frontline Socialist Party’s Farmers’ Struggle Movement (FSM) said that the current system benefited millers disproportionately at the expense of farmers.
Addressing the media at the FSP headquarters, in Nugegoda, FSM National Organizer Vimal Wathtuhewa said: “Paddy harvesting is underway in key agricultural districts like Ampara, Batticaloa, Monaragala, Trincomalee, and Hambantota, but the government has failed to announce a guaranteed price. Mill owners are taking advantage of this and setting prices arbitrarily, leaving farmers with significant losses.”
Wathtuhewa said that the government’s allocation of Rs. 500 million for purchasing paddy, was inadequate to meet even four days’ worth of national rice consumption. Claiming that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had attributed the rice shortage to ‘data distortions’, Waththuhewa argued that the real issue was due to flawed decision-making and the government’s reliance on inaccurate data.
“Even with adverse weather damaging approximately 40,000 hectares, Sri Lanka can still produce around three million metric tons of rice annually, and that amount is enough to meet the country’s annual consumption requirement of 2.4 million metric tons. The idea that data distortions caused the rice shortage is misleading,” he said.
“Five major mill owners collectively release 1.2 million kilos of rice daily into the market, while the national daily rice consumption is 6.5 million kilos. If these mill owners withheld rice for just four to five days, it would create a severe food crisis,” he said.
Both Herath and Wathtuhewa called on the government to act immediately to protect farmers and ensure food security.
“The government was elected to serve the people, not a handful of powerful mill owners. It’s time to address the real issues and ensure farmers receive a fair price for their paddy,” Wathtuhewa said.
As part of the official visit to London for the 43rd Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors Meeting 2026, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, held discussions with academic experts from the British Council on Wednesday [20 May 2026].
The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in education, particularly in the areas of teacher training, English language programmes, education frameworks, and language acquisition skills.
The British Council shared international experience and highlighted its ongoing engagement in Sri Lanka, while expressing readiness to support the country through technical assistance, teacher development initiatives, and policy collaboration.
Discussions also included views on improving quality assurance, expanding research collaboration, and enhancing learning opportunities.
The Prime Minister appreciated the British Council’s continued engagement in Sri Lanka and reiterated the importance of deepening partnerships.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division’
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who is currently on an official visit to the United Kingdom, met with members of the Sri Lankan community living in London on Wednesday [20th] and engaged in cordial discussions.
Despite the event being held on a weekday, it was notable that nearly one thousand Sri Lankans representing the Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim communities attended with great enthusiasm.
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that despite natural disasters and international crises, the present government has succeeded in stabilizing the country’s economy while providing relief to the people. She further noted that Sri Lanka’s political culture has now undergone a positive transformation that is irreversible.
Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj, addressing the event, stated that a governance system has now been established in the country where all communities are treated equally and the benefits of economic development are shared fairly among all citizens.
Moving away from the traditional method of political gatherings, the event also provided an open platform for members of the Sri Lankan community to directly raise questions and express their views to the Prime Minister and the Minister.
Commenting on the organization of the event, the organizing committee stated that all expenses, including dinner, were borne by the participants themselves. The organizers further remarked that it is unsurprising that opposition groups, accustomed to organizing such events through the misuse of public funds, appear unsettled by this transparent process.
The occasion was attended by the Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj and Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya currently undertaking an official visit to London, United Kingdom, to participate in the 43rd Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors Meeting 2026 held a bilateral meeting with the Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom ON Wednesday [20]. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera, along with officials from the Sri Lankan High Commission.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister conveyed Sri Lanka’s appreciation to the United Kingdom for the support extended in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwa, including ongoing rebuilding and recovery assistance. The Prime Minister also commended the United Kingdom’s support in facilitating increased bilateral trade and exports for Sri Lanka.
The Prime Minister briefed the UK delegation on Sri Lanka’s recent economic developments and policy priorities, the Government’s commitment to advancing human rights and reconciliation, as well as Sri Lanka’s positive growth trajectory.
The two sides also exchanged views on current global geopolitical developments, challenges in the energy sector, and the importance of enhancing regional connectivity and long-term energy security.
Both sides also emphasised the importance of strengthening structured academic mobility frameworks while ensuring fairness, clarity, and integrity within migration systems.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries in areas of mutual interest.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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