The country’s first grain protection centre was established at a cost of Rs. 313 million in Medirigiriya, Polonnaruwa, to store 10,000 metric tons of paddy. This falls in line with President Maithripala Sirisena’s aim to uplift the country’s agricultural production by establishing grain protection centres countrywide, and increase the volume of agricultural produce and help empower farmers.

Run by a 100 kW solar power plant, the centre is expected to protect the stored grains from dehydration and pests among other services, thereby preserving the quality of the stock.

The president claimed that “establishing these centres will be an ideal solution for food security. As another fruitful outcome, rice prices will drop.”