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SJB alleges more tainted ‘Chinese’ fertiliser coming 

24 Jan 2022

  • MP Kavirathna claims bacteria, fungi-riddled stock to be imported by Agri Ministry 
BY Buddhika Samaraweera  The Agriculture Ministry is once again preparing to import a stock of fertilisers containing bacteria and fungi from China that are not fit for use in cultivation, alleged Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Matale District Opposition Parliamentarian Rohini Kumari Wijerathna Kavirathna. Speaking to the media yesterday (24), she claimed: “The Agriculture Ministry, which previously paid $ 6.5 million (including the $ 5 million security deposit) for a similar fertiliser ship from China, is once again preparing to import a stock of fertiliser containing bacteria and fungi. The main way this Government earns commissions is to import such stocks of fertiliser.” She added that with the money paid for the rejected Chinese fertiliser ship, it was possible to import quality agrochemicals including pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides/weedicides. She also charged that the current Government’s programme has ruined the Maha cultivation season due to the lack of fertiliser and agrochemicals for farmers. Speaking further, Kavirathna noted that the country, which was self-sufficient in rice in the past, is now importing plastic rice from countries such as China and Pakistan. “Buy some cheap rice, cook it, and see. It is like eating rigifoam. It does not taste like rice,” she claimed. Claiming that agrochemicals are currently being smuggled from India to Sri Lanka by boats, she said that there is no benefit in applying them for cultivation. She said that due to such agrochemicals, the paddy fields in many areas such as Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Embilipitiya have been destroyed. “Even though the ban on the import of agrochemicals has been lifted, they are still not being imported because these are being smuggled by boats by politicians representing the Government. The smuggled agrochemicals are being distributed through Monaragala, Weligama, Mannar, Oluvil, Kattankudy, and Trincomalee. In order for this racket to be carried out, the stupid leaders of the Government are talking about green agriculture and non-toxic agriculture,” Kavirathna claimed. Agriculture Ministry Secretary D.M.L.D. Bandaranayake was not available for comment.  A proposal to ban the use and importation of chemical fertilisers and agrochemicals was submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa last April and the same was granted approval. However, the Government decided to revoke the said ban on the importation of chemical fertilisers and agrochemicals, and to thereby allow the private sector to import such, with effect from 24 November 2021. However, throughout the past few months, farmers in several areas were seen charging that there is a serious shortage of fertiliser for their cultivations and a number of protests have also been organised by farmers’ organisations and various parties demanding that the Government provide a solution to the fertiliser shortage.


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