Relief to be given to farmers

Loss of income following the use of organic fertiliser

Payment of compensation to farmers for the loss of income, if any, after using only organic fertiliser for their farming and cultivation would be evaluated after the end of the current Maha season, Co-cabinet spokesman, Plantation Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said.

The Maha season has only just begun.the government is not in a position to take a decision on paying compensation to farmers on loss of income for using organic fertiliser. But I can only say that the government would provide relief to all farmers for sure if they have lost their income from using organic fertiliser,” Minister Dr. Pathirana emphasised.

Replying to a journalist he added that there was no ill feeling between China and Sri Lanka following the cancellation of the consignment of organic fertiliser exported to Sri Lanka after it was found that the stock of fertiliser had been contaminated with poisonous substances and therefore not fit for use in Sri Lanka.

The Quindao Seawin Biotech Group Co. Ltd has exported 96,000 metric tons of organic fertiliser to Sri Lanka.the laboratory tests conducted by the National Plant Quarantine Services (NPQS) found that the consignment had been contaminated with highly harmful and banned micro-organisms.

“Yes, the Chinese ambassador has written to the Sri Lanka government raising concerns on certain media reports in the mainstream and social media on the laboratory findings of organic fertiliser imported from a Chinese company and the cancellation of the consignment of organic fertiliser.there was no blame game or ill feeling between the two countries as suggested by certain media.the exchange of views has not affected the close friendship of the two countries in any way,” Minister Dr. Pathirana noted.