Maha season ruined, Yala will be a disaster
No agro-chemical imports yet, only fraction of liquid fertilizer received The government lifted the ban on agro-chemical imports, well over a month ago, but the country is yet to receive much-needed fertiliser supplies.
The President’s Office on Nov. 22 announced the ending of the ban on agro-chemicals imports introduced on April 22, 2021.
However, Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) MP Rohini Kaviratne claims that though Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage assured the Parliament agro chemicals would be imported, so far the private sector hasn’t been given the approval.
Addressing a gathering at Rattota over the weekend, the former UNP er said that the farming community had been deprived of fertiliser as well as agro-chemicals.
Lawmaker Kaviratne alleged that Minister Aluthgamage sabotaged the move to resume agro-chemical imports by removing the Registrar of Pesticide Dr. J. A. Sumith. MP Kaviratne emphasized that the government owed an explanation over the top official’s removal. When contacted yesterday afternoon, Sumith declined to comment.
Minister Aluthgmage couldn’t be contacted because he was at a meeting. Earlier, Aluthgamae declared that the Registrar of Pesticide was removed in the wake of him lifting the ban on five pesticides, including glyphosate imposed seven years ago.