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.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will undertake a four-day state visit to Vietnam on 03 May, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said. Since the presidential election, President Dissanayake has so far visited India, China and the UAE.
The 5th annual Sri Lanka-Pakistan Bilateral Defence Dialogue commenced on Monday (April 28) in Islamabad, Pakistan, marking a continued commitment to strengthening defence cooperation between the two nations.
The MoD statement: “The Sri Lankan delegation is led by Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal (retd.) Sampath Thuyacontha accompanied by Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, and Additional Secretary (Defence) of the Ministry of Defence Jayantha Edirisinghe. The Pakistani delegation is headed by Lieutenant General (retd.) Muhammad Ali, Secretary Defence of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
In conjunction with the on-going defence dialogue, Defence Secretary Thuyacontha held a side-line meeting yesterday (April 29) with Defence Minister of Pakistan, Khawaja Muhammad Asif.
These high-level engagements aim to enhance bilateral cooperation, foster mutual understanding on regional security dynamics and explore opportunities for defence collaboration. Both nations share a longstanding relationship rooted in mutual respect and strategic cooperation. The dialogue reflects the growing importance of partnerships in maintaining stability and promoting peace in the South Asian region.
The three-day dialogue, which concludes today (April 30), is expected to reinforce bilateral defence ties and contribute to broader regional security objectives.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, in collaboration with the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), conducted a two day seminar on disarmament for Sri Lanka Foreign Service Officers on 25 and 26 April, 2025 at the Ministry. The text of the FM statement: “Over 40 officers, based in Colombo, attended the workshop physically while over 60 officers, attached to Sri Lanka Missions abroad, followed the Seminar virtually.
Director of UNIDIR, Dr. Robin Geiss, Senior Researcher at the UNIDIR Security and Technology Programme, Dr. Dongyoun Cho, and Associate of Political Affairs, Ms. Fanny Sebban of UNIDIR, conducted the Seminar as resource personnel. They shared their expertise and perspectives on the global disarmament landscape and evolving threats to international peace and security, etc.
Director of UNIDIR, Dr. Robin Geiss, called on Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath and discussed closer cooperation between the Ministry and UNIDIR.
The Human Resource Development, Research & Training Division and the United Nations and Human Rights Division of the Ministry organised the Seminar initiated by the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva.”
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