Minister of Agriculture, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation, Mahinda Amaraweera, has said the government should purchase the Maha paddy harvest from hard hit farmers to ensure a fair price, instead of holding the Local Government elections in March 2023.
The Minister said that 800,000 hectares had been cultivated with paddy for the Maha season and harvesting would begin in a few weeks.
Amaraweera said that the Election Commission had called for nominations for the LG polls and the government would have to spend over ten billion (10 billion) rupees on it. He added that the candidates would be spending another 20 billion rupees, or more, on their election campaigns and reiterated that it would be prudent if the LG election is postponed for a few days or even months and the funds allocated for the purchase of the paddy harvest, instead.
The Minister said that it was the Opposition, and not the people, who were demanding that the LG poll be held and reiterated that both the farmers and consumers would benefit if the government purchased the paddy harvest on time and also pointed out that the outcome of the LG election would not result in a change of government.