News
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.
The government, under heavy Opposition fire over inclusion of a sex website in the Grade 6 English module, as well as overall education reforms, has decided to put on hold reforms in respect of Grade 6.
Cabinet Spokesman and Media and Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced the government decision yesterday (13) at the post-Cabinet media briefing at the Information Department.
According to him, the decision had been taken at the previous day’s Cabinet meeting, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Dr. Jayatissa said that education reforms pertaining to Garde 6 had been put on hold until 2027.
The Minister said that other proposed education reforms would be implemented as planned. The Minister said that action would be taken against those responsible for the inclusion of a link to a sex website following investigations conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department and the National Education Institute.
The SJB and several other political parties, as well as civil society groups, have accused the government of promoting an LGBTQ agenda, through the proposed education reforms.
The Opposition grouping Mahajana Handa, on Monday, made representations to the Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatta Chapter regarding the controversial reforms, while urging their intervention to halt the project.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (13) vowed to go ahead with his government’s agenda, regardless of the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Emphasising the responsibility on the part of all to contribute to the post-Ditwah recovery efforts, President Dissanayake said that he would have complete faith in the public service.
The President said so at the launch of the re-building Sri Lanka project at the BMICH yesterday.
The JVP and NPP leader said that he wouldn’t take advantage of the death and destruction caused by the cyclone or use the situation as an excuse to reverse their agenda or weaken it.
President Dissanayake said that in spite of many calling for amending the then Budget, in view of the cyclone, the government presented the proposals that were agreed before the disaster struck.
The United States has announced that it will provide the Sri Lanka Air Force with 10 US Navy TH-57 helicopters free of charge.
The announcement was made by outgoing US Ambassador Julie Chung, who stated, on social media, that the helicopters would be transferred under the United States’ Excess Defence Articles programme. The aircraft are Bell 206 Sea Ranger helicopters previously operated by the US Navy.
US sources said that the transfer was intended to strengthen Sri Lanka’s disaster response capabilities, following the devastating cyclone that struck the island at the end of 2025 and killed more than 600 people. US officials have framed the move as a humanitarian measure aimed at improving aerial rescue and relief operations.
Showery condition over the island is expected to reduce from tomorrow (15th)
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Fair weather will prevail except for a few showers in the Uva, Eastern, Western and Central provinces and in Galle, Matara and Rathnapura districts
Trump cancels US-Iran meetings, urges protesters to take over institutions
Govt. bows to pressure, shelves Grade 6 reforms
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