The Sri Lankan Government has purchased 50,445 metric tons of paddy during this year's Yala season through the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB).

According to PMB Chairman K.B. Jayasinghe, the Treasury has already released Rs.1, 434 million for the purchase of paddy.

At present, the PMB is engaged in purchasing paddy under the National Paddy Purchasing Programme in all major paddy producing areas countrywide, the Chairman said.

For the successful implementation of this programme, six zones have been identified which include Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Southern, Eastern and Northern provinces.

Quick payment systems are in place for the convenience of paddy farmers.

PMB has adequate facilities to store the paddy harvest purchased from farmers. It has also opened new warehouses while rehabilitating and modernizing existing granaries in the paddy cultivating areas, the PMB Chairman said.