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Plantation expert slams ‘politicisation of science’ by two administrations

Published

5 years ago

2021/11/11

By Sanath Nanayakkare

Science was a major casualty in two key agricultural policy decisions made by the previous Yahapalana and the current governments, which on both occasions brought disastrous consequences to the agriculture sector, says Dr. Roshan Rajadurai, Managing Director of the Plantation Sector of Hayleys PLC which comprise Kelani Valley Plantations, Talawakelle Tea Estates and Horana Plantations recently.

Issuing a press statement, he slammed the previous Yahapalana government’s suspension of glyphosate imports and the current government’s decision to ban the import and the use of synthetic fertilisers with a sudden passion for transforming Sri Lanka into a nation with 100% organic agriculture.

Citing the fate of Prof. Buddhi Marambe, he said: “The nation’s best agricultural experts are being ignored or sidelined and silenced because Marambe had simply stated scientific facts regarding the current agro-chemical ban. Marambe had been consistent in doing so when the occasion demanded; he had previously spoken up against the Yahapalana government’s disastrous decision to suspend glyphosate imports.”

“Suspension on glyphosate imports was a policy decision, which resulted in the rejection of Sri Lankan tea exports as a result of issues with Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs), and caused the permanent loss of extremely high value markets in Japan, and it proved costly: all without a single shred of scientific evidence being considered to assess the lasting damage it would have caused. As a result, the government of the day was compelled to back-pedal its decision, but not without irreversible damage being done,” he claimed.

Referring to the chemical fertiliser ban imposed by the current government, he said “Without any prior planning or notice, our entire sector has been coerced into blindly participating in the most unscientific experiment ever attempted in Sri Lanka’s history. Now we are all left to anticipate what the implications of an immediate, nation-wide halt to all established and essential best practices relating to plant nutrition, pest, fungus and weeds would be.”

“Almost seven months from the current government’s initial decision to ban the import and use of synthetic fertilizers and as at today, Sri Lanka’s entire agriculture and plantation economy is still frantically in search of any viable option to mitigate the threat of declining yields.” he said.

“We are told that arrangements are being made to import organic fertiliser from various, untested sources, and agreements are minted to produce organic fertiliser locally, much akin to attempting to fix the engine troubles on an airplane while it is in flight. Nevertheless, the inconvenient truth is at present, all supplies of ‘organic’ and inorganic fertiliser are in short supply.”

“Stocks which are available, have increased in price owing to supply-demand imbalances, disrupted supply chains and unprecedented increases in landed costs. Such escalating payments are making Sri Lankan tea’s already high cost of production (COP) even higher, which is placing Sri Lankan plantations under further stress. This is happening just a few months after an increase in worker wages was thrust through the Wages Board.”

” With the end of the year approaching, and the window for fertilising crops closing, it appears that the industry will be locked into at least one – if not more – growth cycles without basic nutrients of Nitrogen, Potassium, and Phosphorus, and with no ability to control pests and weeds. Without immediate solutions, the broad consensus among those with expertise is that we could see exponentially worse crop losses starting from the end of 2021, hitting approximately 40% by next year.”

“If RPCs had disregarded agronomic practices and norms in such a manner on their own volition, it would have been called ‘criminal mismanagement’. With agricultural best practices now being roundly ignored in favour of a largely undefined and unplanned strategy for transforming Sri Lanka into a nation with “100% organic agriculture”, this historic, and intentionally misinformed self-sabotage is being repackaged as visionary and progressive. Regardless of short-term political expediency, reality has a way of asserting itself,” he said.

Referring to the negative impact on employment, he said, “Spread across 14 districts, the tea industry alone provides direct employment to over 600,000 people engaged in cultivation and processing and indirect employment to a further 200,000 involved in the supply chain. The sector provides complete livelihood support for a resident population of one million in Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) and 450,000 tea smallholders with one million dependents, hence supporting a total population of nearly 2.5 million.”

“When considering both employment and livelihood generation, it is estimated that the industry sustains more than 10% of our national population and its net foreign exchange earnings are only second to the garment industry.”

“Even if “organic” fertilliser is made available, there are still serious concerns as to whether it can provide sufficient nutrients. Hence, it appears that the writing is on the wall. With insufficient nutrients as a result of the unplanned push for organic, we anticipate a series of cascading failures stemming from a collapse in productivity. No amount of rhetoric will be able to turn back the tide of negative repercussions of such developments.”

“The only measure that could at least temporarily mitigate this dynamic is the implementation of productivity linked wages. This is a model which has the support of all RPCs, and which has been widely practiced with tremendous success by tea smallholders.”

“If there’s any resistance to it, that’s not from workers who have experience with productivity linked wages, but from Trade Unions who would lose their relevance if such models were implemented. Under the proposals made by RPCs workers could earn between Rs. 37,000 and Rs 62,000 and the model would enable workers to choose flexi-hours. Given the labour shortages prevalent across the entire tea industry, such a move would at long last incentivize workers effectively, and reward them for achieving their full individual potential, thereby significantly optimising labour productivity.

“However, without a scientific resolution to the fertiliser crisis, wage reforms can only serve as a stop gap measure. As land productivity drops, RPCs, state plantations and smallholders alike will be forced to reduce the amount of work offered, leading to a continuous decrease in worker earnings,” he said.

Dr. Roshan Rajadurai was also a former chairman of the Planters’ Association of Ceylon with 36 years of experience in the plantation sector.

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President Commissions Offshore Patrol Vessel ‘Samudra Vijaya’ into Sri Lanka Navy

Published

6 hours ago

2026/06/5

Priyan

The commissioning ceremony of the deep-sea patrol vessel as Samudravijaya, gifted to the Sri Lanka Navy by the United States Coast Guard to enhance the Navy’s operational capabilities, was held under the patronage of Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, on Thursday afternoon (04) at the Eastern Terminal premises of the Port of Colombo.

The vessel was officially handed over to Sri Lanka by the United States Coast Guard on 2 December 2025. Following modifications to meet the operational requirements of the Sri Lanka Navy, the vessel commenced its voyage to Colombo on 20 February 2026 from the United States Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore, Maryland.

The induction of the vessel marks a significant step towards further strengthening the operational capabilities of the Sri Lanka Navy and enhancing the country’s maritime and national security. The vessel is expected to make an important contribution to maritime surveillance, search and rescue operations, protection of fisheries resources, environmental monitoring and the enforcement of international maritime laws and conventions. In particular, it will serve as a vital asset in combating narcotics trafficking and other transnational maritime crimes, which remain major challenges for both Sri Lanka and the wider region.

During the ceremony, President Dissanayake presented the official commissioning warrant to the vessel’s Commanding Officer, Captain Gayan Wickramasuriya. The President subsequently unveiled the vessel’s name board and official insignia before undertaking an inspection tour of the ship. The Commander of the Navy briefed those present on the vessel’s operational readiness, systems and capabilities.

President Dissanayake also signed the vessel’s Distinguished Visitors’ Book and was presented with a commemorative plaque featuring a replica of the vessel.

Among those present were Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunatilaka. Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd.), Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd.), Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda, Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, Commander of the Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Vasu Bandu Edirisinghe. Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, Inspector General of Police, Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasooriya, Charge d’affaires to the U.S. Embassy Ms. Jayne Howell, Senior Defence Official and Defence Attache with Spouse Lieutenant Colonel Matthew House, representatives of the Embassy and senior officers of the Sri Lanka Navy.

(PMD)

News

Elders’ home devastated by fire was a ‘house of horror’: Witnesses

Published

14 hours ago

2026/06/5

Thilina Walpola

Death toll rises to 12: Director remanded

Some residents were allegedly chained

Police have come under public pressure to investigate allegations of inhumane treatmenf the residents at an elders’ home in Batagoda, which was also reportedly used as a care centre for persons with special needs, following a devastating fire that has so far claimed 12 lives.

Eyewitnesses who were among the first responders told the media that several residents had been chained inside rooms at the Senehase Kedella Elders’ Home when the fire broke out on Wednesday. They claimed that rescue efforts were hindered as iron chains could not be removed, and that some residents died while being restrained.

Authorities have not yet verified these claims, and Police said investigations are continuing.

Police spokesman ASP F.U. Wootler, contacted for comment, said there were rumours to that effect, but the Police were not in a position to verify the claims until a report from the Government Analyst was received. He said eight survivors with burn injuries were being treated in hospital.

Meanwhile, the Director of the facility had been arrested and was due to be produced before the Horana Magistrate’s Court, Police said adding that he was remanded till June 11.

The death toll from the fire has risen to 12 as of Thursday morning following the recovery of additional charred remains during ongoing forensic examinations at the site. Six others sustained serious injuries and are being treated at the Horana Base Hospital.

Police said 72 residents were inside the facility at the time of the blaze. Of them, 10 died inside the building, seven were injured and hospitalised, while 51 were rescued and relocated.

Survivors were initially housed at Batagoda Junior School before being transferred with Army assistance to another branch of the same care network in Galpatha.

A magisterial inquiry was conducted on Thursday morning. Horana Magistrate Lakmini Vidanagamage visited the scene. The burnt remains were examined and removed under judicial supervision.

Separately, allegations have emerged that residents were required to pay an admission fee of Rs. 75,000, along with a monthly charge of Rs. 35,000 to the centre. Police have not commented on these claims.

The director was taken to the scene as part of ongoing investigations, while forensic experts continue examinations to determine the cause of the fire, which remains undetermined.Anguruwatota Police are conducting investigations.

By Norman Palihawadane and Nishan S Priyantha

News

CERT : AI-generated videos depicting Prez, PM lure public into financial scams

Published

14 hours ago

2026/06/5

Thilina Walpola

Sri Lanka CERT has issued a public warning over the circulation of artificial intelligence (AI)-generated videos falsely depicting President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and several other prominent personalities to promote fraudulent investment schemes online.

According to complaints received by the national cyber security agency, the videos have been created using deepfake technology and are being used as part of attempts to defraud members of the public through financial scams.

The images of famous sports personalities and other public figures have also been misused in the deceptive content.

The agency has warned that similar AI-generated material has been used to spread false information relating to investment opportunities, employment offers, as well as matters concerning the country’s economy and tax policies.

According to Sri Lanka CERT, the videos are being widely shared across online platforms and frequently contain links urging viewers to make investments in return for purported profits.The agency has cautioned that these links may redirect users to fraudulent websites designed to steal personal information, financial data and money from unsuspecting victims.

Sri Lanka CERT has urged the public to exercise extreme caution when encountering such content online and advised against clicking on suspicious links or sharing personal information through unverified websites.

“The public should remain vigilant and avoid becoming victims of false information and online fraud schemes,” the agency said.

Sri Lanka CERT has also encouraged internet users to verify information through official sources before acting on any investment, employment or financial offers circulated via social media or other online platforms.