The Government has allocated Rs one billion in 2026 through the Co-operative Wholesale Establishment (CWE) to improve paddy drying, storage and other related facilities. The necessary machinery and equipment are scheduled to be installed in the Southern and Northern Provinces, according to the Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Minister, Wasantha Samarasinghe.

He made these remarks during a recent meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee (MCC) on Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, which he chaired in Parliament.

He further stated that a Rs 500 million project is being implemented this year to provide paddy drying machines to cooperative societies, while a Rs 100 million project has been launched to procure production and packaging machinery for producer cooperatives. He also noted that the CWE has intervened in the process of converting paddy into rice and purchasing potatoes. Potatoes are being purchased at Rs 220 per kilogram and sold through the Lanka Sathosa Limited. In addition, he stated that 120,000 metric tonnes of rice were imported during April as substitute varieties for Samba and Keeri Samba rice. 

The Committee held discussions on fraud and corruption reported in certain cooperative societies. Parliamentarians raised concerns about individuals involved in such irregularities being reappointed to positions within those societies without facing any penalties. Samarasinghe instructed the officials to address existing legal weaknesses and other shortcomings.

He also announced the establishment of a new Alumni Association of Mahapola Scholarship Recipients and invited all former Scholarship holders to join and contribute to its activities. He noted that the Association would be able to implement programmes aimed at supporting and advancing future generations of students.