News

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

Published

4 years ago

2021/12/25

Sahan Weerasooriya

‘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.

All News Advertisement

Latest News

Landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Badulla, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya

Published

9 hours ago

2026/01/8

Priyan

The Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya for the next 24 hours commencing at 1200hrs today [08]

Accordingly
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Ududumbara in the Kandy District, Wilgamuwa in the Matale District, and Nildandahinna and Walapane in the Nuwara Eliya District.

LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Meegahakiwula, Welimada, Kandaketiya, Lunugala, Badulla, Passara, Uva Paranagama and Hali_Ela in the Badulla District, Ambanganga Korale in the Matale District, and Mathurata and Hanguranketha in the Nuwara Eliya District.

Latest News

Warning for deep depression over South-east Bay of Bengal Sea area

Published

15 hours ago

2026/01/8

Priyan

Deep depression Track. [Source: RSMC]

Warning for deep depression over South-east Bay of Bengal Sea area.
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre, Department of Meteorology at 10.30 a.m. on 08 January 2026 for the period until 10.30 a.m. 09 January 2026

The depression in the Bay of Bengal to the southeast of Sri Lanka has intensified into a deep depression and is centered near latitude 5.4°N and longitude 85.3°E, about 420 km southeast of Pottuvil at 05.30 a.m. today (08th). The above system is currently (10:00 a.m.) located about 300 km southeast of Pottuvil.

It is very likely to move west-northwestwards across the southwest Bay of Bengal and cross the Sri Lanka coast between Hambantota and Kalmunai between 5.30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. on Friday [9th January 2026].

Hence, showery, and windy condition over the island, particularly in the Northern, NorthCentral, Eastern, Uva and Central provinces is expected to enhance from today (08th).

For the Land area:

DAMAGE EXPECTED:
• Damage to huts, temporary shelters and light structures
• Destroy the roof tops/ sheets etc.
• Damage to power and communication lines.
• Breaking of tree branches and uprooting of large avenue trees.
• Damage to paddy crops, banana, papaya trees and orchards.
• Damage to harbor yachts
• Flash flood
• Sea water inundation in low lying areas in the near coast.

Action suggested for the Land area:
• Coastal hutment dwellers are advised to move to safer places. Other people in the affected areas to remain indoors.
• People living in hilly areas (particularly landslide prone areas) and low lying areas in river basins are requested to be vigilant.
• Drivers and people using roads in the hilly areas are requested to be vigilant.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• General public is requested to be vigilant regarding impending extreme weather situation.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
• Requested to be attentive about future advisories issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard.

Latest News

Showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces and showers about 50-75 mm in other areas

Published

21 hours ago

2026/01/8

Priyan

WEATHER FORECAST FOR 08 JANUARY 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 08 January 2026 by the Department of Meteorology

The depression over the Bay of Bengal, located to the southeast of Sri Lanka, was centered near latitude 5.3°N and longitude 86.0°E, about 490 km southeast of Pottuvil, at 11:30 p.m. yesterday (07). It is expected to move west-northwestwards and towards the eastern coast of the island during next 24 hours. This system is likely to intensify further into a deep depression during the next 12 hours.

Cloudy skies can be expected over most parts of the island.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Uva, Central and Southern provinces. Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere in the Island after 1.00 p.m. Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces. Fairly Heavy showers about (50 – 75) mm are likely at some places in the other areas of the island.

Strong winds about (50-60) kmph can be expected at times over the Eastern slopes of the central hills, the Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota, Gampaha, Colombo and Monaragala districts.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.