News
Paddy Research Institute Director disowns phantom team that has advised farmers in Lunugamvehera
By Ifham Nizam
Batalagoda Paddy Research Institute Director, Dr. Jayantha Senanayake, yesterday denied having directed any officer, or team, to conduct research on paddy cultivation in Lunugamwehera.
He was referring to reports that there is nematode and yellowing in 25,000 acres of paddy, cultivated in the Lunugamwehera area.
It has been reported that 11,000 acres of paddy fields have been destroyed by nematodes and another 14,000 acres of paddy are to be abandoned on advice given by some persons claiming to be officials from the Batalagoda Paddy Research Institute.
Dr. Senanayake said that he had not advised anyone to abandon paddy cultivation. His institution would do everything in its power to help farmers continue paddy cultivation, he added.
Senanayake emphasised that when certain diseases affecting paddy cultivation were reported teams of officials were sent to conduct research, but according to his knowledge, none of his officials had been sent to Tissamaharama and Lunugamwehera.