Minister of Cooperatives and Internal Trade Johnston Fernando participating in an inspection tour to big onion fields and places where the Lanka Sathosa officials made purchases visited Polpithigama in Kurunegala on Wednesday (22). The officials purchased local big onion at certified price of Rs 60 a kilo, Ekanayake said.

Lanka Sathosa with the idea of providing a better price for big onion farmers and under instructions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, commenced the programme to purchase the big onion harvest from growers at a certified price.

Ekanayake said Minister Fernando has instructed Lanka Sathosa Chairman Nalin Farnando to take measures to purchase big onions from islandwide farmers at the certified price of Rs.60 per kilo. Accordingly, Lanka Sathosa will purchase big onions from farmers in Jaffna, Matale, Dambulla and Hambantota which are the main big onion cultivating areas in Sri Lanka. (Special Reporter/HC)