News
Farmers who put on Herculean effort to cultivate against many odds now without fuel for harvesting
By Nimal Gunathilake
The harvesting season has begun in the eastern, Uva and the dry zone, but farmers have not received fuel needed to operate harvesting machines, according to former Provincial Governor Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon.
“These are the farmers who cultivated their lands despite the shortages of agro-chemicals have been left without fuel to operate harvesting machines,” Tennakoon said.In the East, farmers in Mandur, Pillumalay, Wellawali, Eravur, Ottamawadi, Pottuvil and Akkaraipattu under minor irrigation schemes, were ready to harvest their crop, Tennakoon said.
“This is the case in many minor irrigation schemes in other agricultural areas as well. A combined harvester needs at least 20 litres for an acre. Thus, in the coming 40 days, these agricultural areas will need at least 3,000 bowsers of fuel. Is this possible? Are the ministers even aware of this?” he said.
Tennakoon said that the government’s agricultural policy has been the worst in modern Sri Lankan history.
“At first, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa promised to give fertiliser free of charge, then he banned it overnight without preparing adequate amounts of compost or other organic inputs. Conservative estimates place the drop in rice production at 30%. The production of tea fell by 18%, and this will affect our foreign exchange earnings,” Tennakoon said.
Tennakoon said that due to protests, the government had announced that it would ease the ban on agro-chemicals. But the government had not purchased any fertiliser and was dependent on donations. In 2021, Verite Research conducted a survey on the organic fertiliser policy, and initially the buy-in was high. Almost two-thirds of the respondents had agreed that the country should switch over to organic agriculture. About 64% of the farmers surveyed said ‘yes’ to the question: “Do you agree that Sri Lanka should transition to 100% organic agriculture?”
The research also showed that most farmers lacked necessary knowledge and guidance as regards chemical fertiliser-free agriculture. Nearly two-thirds of all respondents said they had not received any guidance on how to cultivate crops organically, Tennakoon said.
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
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Festival advance for government officers to be increased
Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
Implementation of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy
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