Six paddy purchasing centres are located at Hadungamuwa, Hettipola, Kanadana, Kandalama and Pelvehera areas. In addition, a mobile paddy purchasing centre is operating in the Hettipola area.

The government has taken steps to set up buildings in the district to enhance paddy storing facilities. Preliminary work in this regard had begun.

However, farmer organizations allege that some businessmen buy paddy from farmers at low rates and sell it to purchasing centres on certified prices.

The PMB has deployed a team to investigate.

Meanwhile, small scale rice millers in the Matale district are inconvenienced as they are unable to purchase paddy at the specified rates.

The Paddy Marketing Board is purchasing paddy from farmers through purchasing centres at certified prices of Rs. 45 per kilo for Nadu and Rs. 50 for Samba.