News

Not a single seed farm has been started in SL since 1990 — Anura Kumara Dissanayake

Published

5 years ago

2020/11/29

Sahan Weerasooriya

‘While seed mafia holds sway’

by Saman Indrajith

Successive governments in recent years have contributed towards total subjugation of the country’s agriculture seed market to the multinational corporations, JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said.

Participating in the committee stage debate on budget 2021, MP Dissanayake said: “There are three main mafias in the world – the first is the pharmaceutical mafia, the second is weapons mafia and the third is seed mafia. The seed companies such as Monsanto of the US had totally subjugated the world seed market. They have been able to set up their local agents who in turn control the local seed market for a profit.

“This is a very profitable business. When a kilo of chilli seeds unloaded at Colombo harbor its CFI value is $300 (Rs. 55,000) in rupees but sold in the market at Rs 169,000. The CFI value of a kilo of papaw is 190 dollars at the harbor (Rs. 35,150) but sold at Rs. 800,000 in the market. A kilo of seed tomato is 600 dollars in its CFI value at the harbor. That means Rs. 110,000 but sold at Rs 190,000 in the market.

“A kilo of cabbage seed is at $85 in its CIF value (Rs.15,725) but sold at Rs 400,000 in the market. These figures will help you understand what is really happening. Can we break this monopoly of the seed mafia and its local agents?

“Since 1990 not a single seed farm has been started in this country. The seed farms we had were sold. Seed farms at Pelvehera, Hingurakgoda and China farm between Thamuttagama and Talawa were sold to CIC. The Mahailuppallama seed farm today is abandoned to become a forest of ipil-ipil. There was a plan to sell that too off to a Bangladesh company in 2018.

“We in Sri Lanka had a bio-diversity rich seed culture. We had varieties of pumpkin, ladies fingers, maze etc, but none of them exist now. Those varieties were suitable for the soil, environment zone and climate of those zones. None of those varieties are seen now. We have only the products coming from the seeds provided to us by the multinational corporations.

“The loss of seed culture and the subjugation to the multinational corporations is only an outcome of the sorry state prevailing. The situation of agriculture in the country today could be seen in the way the government treats the agriculture minister. Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage holds the agriculture portfolio.

“On Aug. 9 in a gazette allocating institutions to the ministries, four institutions namely the Agriculture Department, Agriculture and Agrarian Insurance Board, Elkaduwa Plantations Ltd and Export Agriculture Department were placed under his purview. In another gazette dated Sept. 23, the number was brought down to two. Mahindananda Aluthgamage is the first-ever agriculture Minister in the country without the Agrarian Services Board and Department of Export Agriculture under his purview. The Council for Agricultural Research Policy (CARP) is also not under his purview.

“Our nation is known since time immemorial as a civilization based on agriculture, but the contribution made by agriculture to the GDP is not sufficient today. Agriculture occupies 11 percent of lands, 25 percent of the workforce but contributes only seven percent to the GDP. Its contribution to the industries sector is 35 percent. That is the main problem of the country’s agriculture sector today.

“The second problem is the poor living conditions of the farmers. The least number of facilities in healthcare, drinking water, education, roads and housing are allocated to the farmers. They live in abject poverty as a result. They are in debt to the fertilizer shop, pesticide shop, the millers and the paddy purchasers. Their jewelry is at the pawnbrokers. They have become prey to the micro-credit companies. So the lives of farmers should not only be brought up economically but also socially if the government has any genuine intention of developing the country’s agriculture sector”.

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Latest News

Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

13 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 15 April 2026, valid for 16 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491

Latest News

Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 makes port call in Colombo

Published

18 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

The Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit on 15 Apr 2026 and was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in compliance with time-honoured naval traditions.

The vessel’s arrival is a key highlight of the ASEAN Plus Cadet Sail (APCS) – 2026 programme , accompanying a diverse contingent of Navy cadets from 26 different nations alongside their Indonesian counterparts.

The ship is commanded by Commander SUGENG HARIYANTO. Meanwhile, Officer Under-trainees of the Sri Lanka Navy are expected to participate in various programmes aboard the
ship and naval personnel observe its operational functions during its stay in the island.

Furthermore, the ship’s crew is scheduled to take part in programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two navies, as well as visit several tourist attractions in the country.

News

PM initiates children into learning at the auspicious time while observing New Year traditional customs and rituals

Published

18 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

The Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival, organized by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, was held on Tuesday (14) in Gampaha under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, with the performance of traditional auspicious customs and rituals.

In accordance with tradition, during the Punya Kalaya (inauspicious time), the Prime Minister visited the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Viharaya in Gampaha and participated in religious observances and received blessings from Venerable Thunmodara Samitha Thero, a member of the Karaka Sangha Sabha of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya and the Chief Incumbent of the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Dharmaduta Piriven Viharaya.

The traditional observances of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival were held at the residence of Darshana Weerasinghe in Gampaha. Marking the auspicious time for commencing work, and upon the invitation of the host family, the Prime Minister planted a sapling within the premises. Concurrently, Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, joined the PM.

Subsequently, the Prime Minister joined children in engaging in traditional folk games.

At the auspicious time for engaging work and educational activities, the PM participated with children in reading and writing, guiding them and symbolically marking the commitment to advancing the educational development of the nation’s children.

Thereafter, the Prime Minister and other distinguished guests observed the traditional customs of exchanging greetings, transactions and gifts with the host family, and joined them to partake in the customary New Year meal.

Extending New Year greetings to all citizens, the Prime Minister expressed her gratitude to all Sri Lankans, both at home and abroad, for their contributions in overcoming and effectively managing the various challenges faced by the country.

Speaking at the occasion, Minister Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi stated that the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival symbolizes renewal and purity, and reflects the energy of the sun. He also conveyed his wishes for a peaceful and prosperous New Year for all.

The occasion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning and Minister of Labour, Dr. Anil Jayantha; Deputy Minister of Labour, Mahinda Jayasinghe; Member of Parliament for the Gampaha District, Ruwan Mapalagama; along with the Gampaha District Secretary, Mayor, Divisional Secretaries, and a large number of government officials.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)