Transport Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said yesterday that he would seek compensation from the Paddy Marketing Board for the damage caused to the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) due to paddy being stored within its warehouses.

Speaking during a visit to the airport, Siripala pointed out that the hi-tech equipment stored in the warehouses of the MRIA were badly damaged by the dust arising from the paddy stored there.

Siripala also said that the MRIA should be used in a meaningful manner in future.

The decision to store paddy at MRIA was taken due to lack of storage space in Hambantota District, the PMB had stated earlier. The PMB is still in the process of buying paddy in the district.