The Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) has purchased a total of 5,390 metric tonnes of paddy so far under its 2026 Yala season procurement programme, which began on July 13.
The largest volume has come from Ampara District, where 3,148 metric tonnes have been bought to date, according to PMB Deputy General Manager (Operations) Saman Palitha Bandara.
The seasonal procurement drive is aimed at buying paddy directly from farmers to support guaranteed prices and stabilise the domestic rice market.
The Commission on Public Sector Salaries and Pensions opens at Malalasekara Mawatha on Tuesday and begins inviting proposals from trade unions and the public, the President's Media Division says.
The regulator says a 0.3% rise in supply costs did not warrant a tariff revision, with a Rs. 26.75 billion surplus from the first quarter carried forward.
Tourism funds will flow to districts from 2027; Ampara meeting backed Arugam Bay viewpoint project and new foreign employment office.