MONLAR alleges foul play in not testing imported fertiliser

by Rathindra Kuruwita

A large quantity of Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) Fertiliser containing significant heavy metals had been released to the market, Chinthaka Rajapakshe, Moderator of the Movement for Land and Agricultural Reform (MONLAR) alleged yesterday.

Rajapakshe told The Island that there was a high probability that the fertilizer currently released to the market were of low quality and high in heavy metals, as the National Fertiliser Secretariat had stopped testing samples at local labs, he added.

“Earlier, on March 30, 2020, the National Fertiliser secretariat informed companies that import fertiliser that due to COVID-19 Pandemic situation all of the laboratories which analysed fertilizer had been closed, and, therefore, the fertiliser samples could tested. The NFS has said that as ensuring food security is critical at this moment and an “internationally accredited laboratory analytical report is adequate to release imports to the market. 

“This has happened again last month,” Rajapakshe said

Rajapakshe said that the NFS directive was contrary to a number of policy decisions taken by the Gotabaya Rajapaksa administration to encourage environmentally friendly agriculture. “For example on March 04, 2020, Secretary to the Ministry of Mahaweli, Agriculture, Irrigation and Rural Development, Neil Bandara Hapuhinna said they had instructed senior officials that they should prioritise reducing the use of artificial fertiliser. On March 30, Hapuhinna instructed officials to reduce the TSP Fertiliser as they contain significant heavy metals.”said.

The MONLAR Moderator said that releasing fertiliser based on a report submitted by the foreign export company was not a judicious policy. “Food security is important. But releasing low quality fertiliser that can be high in toxicity will not help anyone,” he said.

Repeated attempts to contact the Director of the National Fertiliser Secretariat failed.