Agro sector mess: SJB says sacked Ministry Secy one of the culprits

‘Prof. Jayasinghe grabbed one of our slogans’

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Samagi Jana Balavegaya lawmaker Rohini Kaviratne has questioned the rationale behind sacked Agriculture Secretary Senior Prof. Udith K. Jayasinghe’s warning of a serious food shortage in April after having caused the crisis.

Addressing the media at Rattota, the Matale District MP pointed out that Prof. Jayasinghe was one of the culprits though he now pretended as if he didn’t have a hand in the disastrous agriculture policy adopted by the current dispensation.

The outspoken MP emphasised that Prof. Jayasinghe was equally responsible for the ruination of the agriculture sector as his political masters. The former UNPer pointed out the absurdity in the Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage having to contradict Prof. Jayasinghe over the latter’s high profile claim of an impending food shortage in early part of New Year.

The Matale District MP alleged that Prof. Jayasinghe in an obvious bid to deceive the public exploited both print and electronic media, including the social media to the hilt. The lawmaker compared the ousted official’s approach with that of a pickpocket fleeing a crowd in Pettah while himself shouting ‘thief’

Both the political leadership and the former Agriculture Secretary should be investigated for corruption charges in relation to fertiliser imports from China and India, MP Kaviratne said. The MP alleged that Prof. Jayasinghe had been involved in the entire process as regards liquid fertiliser imports from India. The MP said that ousted official had been in the relevant tender board, advised the technical committee, intervened to lower the price of liquid fertiliser when the Opposition revealed price manipulation and payment made subsequent to the opening of an account on a directive issued by Dr. P. B. Jayasundera as disclosed in Parliament.

Lawmaker Kaviratne said that the Opposition warned of a food shortage over the past several months and now suddenly one of those people responsible for the current sorry plight repeated what we have been saying.

Responding to SJB allegations, Prof. Jayasinghe said that there was no basis for such accusations though he didn’t want to comment on them. Prof. Jayasinghe also maintained that he didn’t know what prompted his sudden removal.

MP Kaviratne said that during Prof. Jayasinghe’s six month tenure as the Agriculture Secretary he was at the forefront of the government offensive meant to force carbonic farming on an unprepared community.

Responding to media queries, she compared the government operation that destroyed the agriculture sector with the signing of the Yugadanavi deal. Having signed a far reaching agreement with US energy company, SLPP constituents were engaged in a dispute, she said. A section of the government had accused the administration of betraying the country though they remained within the administration, MP Kaviratne said. Similarly, Minister Aluthgamage and Prof. Jayasinghe had been fighting over policy after being members of the same destructive team, the MP said.

She insisted that Prof. Jayasinghe grabbed one of the Opposition slogans to cover up his sins after the government dumped him. The former UNPer said that the government should have found fault with the Vice Chancellor of the Wayamba University for his recent statements pertaining to an impending food shortage, but that didn’t clear him of serious corruption charges.