News
Wimal warns food security at risk, calls for changing agriculture policy
… asks govt. to follow Modi, reverse strategy
By Shamindra Ferdinando
National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa has warned the government of dire consequences unless its decision to do away with fertiliser and agro-chemicals is reversed.
Addressing the media following an event at Battarmulla over the weekend, the Industries Minister emphasised that the government shouldn’t be ashamed to reverse the decision.
Reiterating his support for carbonic agriculture, Minister Weerawansa emphasised whatever the circumstances, agriculture for commercial purposes couldn’t be allowed to be ruined and the community driven away from agriculture. Weerawansa is the first Cabinet Minister to criticize the government’s fertiliser and agro-chemical policy since the sacking of Agriculture Secretary Prof. Udith Jayasinghe, in late Dec 2021 immediately after he warned of massive food shortage as a result of crop failure.
The Minister said that if the government took remedial measures the situation could be stabilized within the remaining three years and aspirations of the masses fulfilled. However, the government shouldn’t subject commercial agriculture to unnecessary risks, the Colombo District lawmaker said. The former JVPer warned food security would be threatened if commercial agriculture collapsed as a result of wrong decisions taken by the government.
The Minister said that the issues surrounding the use of fertilizer and agro-chemicals couldn’t be settled at the expense of commercial agriculture.
Pointing out how Indian Premier Narendra Modi dropped two Bills following strong protests from the farming community, the outspoken Minister said that in the face of some challenges the governments had no option but to retreat. The government shouldn’t be shy to take a step backwards, MP Weerawansa said strongly advising the top leadership to change its disastrous policy without further delay.
Referring to the allocation of Rs 40 bn to pay compensation to farmers affected by the government decision, Minister Weerawansa pointed out how they had to spend much more than what was spent on the fertiliser subsidy. The Minister said that the compensation package was evidence of the enormity of the wrong decision taken by the government.
Warning that the country’s food security is at risk, the NFF leader said that the government should be mindful of its decisions.
(Ms.) Nina P. Cainglet, Ambassador of the Philippines to Sri Lanka based in Dhaka, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at the Prime Minister’s Office on May 16, 2025.
The Prime Minister welcomed Ambassador Cainglet and extended her congratulations on the new appointment. The discussion focused on expanding cooperation in trade and tourism, with both sides expressing their commitment to exploring new opportunities in these key sectors. The meeting also addressed consular matters relating to the Filipino community in Sri Lanka. In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs assured continued dialogue and necessary support on relevant issues.
The meeting was attended by Ms. Judienne Capiz, Vice Consul of the Embassy of the Philippines in Dhaka, Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister; Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister; Ms. S.S. Premawardhane, Additional Secretary, Bilateral Political Affairs (East); and M.R. Keegel, Deputy Director, Southeast Asia & Central Asia Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division].
The Bribery Commission on Friday filed a corruption case against former Investment Promotion Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena and ex-BOI Director General Jayantha Edirisinghe, accusing them of misusing public cash for a lavish newspaper ad campaign back in 2014.
They stand accused of siphoning Rs. 1.7 million in state funds to publish 11 newspaper supplements marking the second inauguration anniversary of then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa on November 19, 2014.
According to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), the move amounted to a clear breach of anti-graft laws, with five formal charges now filed before the Colombo High Court.
The case, centred around alleged misuse of Board of Investment (BOI) funds, is backed by 21 pieces of documentary evidence and testimony from 15 witnesses.
The Bribery Commission maintains that the ad blitz had no official sanction and led to a direct loss of Rs. 1,748,877.76 to the state.
Inspector General of Police T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon is set to face formal questioning tomorrow (May 19) over serious allegations of misconduct and abuse of power, parliamentary sources said on Friday.
A special committee appointed to investigate the claims will commence formal proceedings next week, following several rounds of preliminary discussions held within the parliamentary complex in recent weeks.
The IGP has been officially notified to appear before the committee and is expected to face the inquiry for the first time at 2:00 PM in Committee Room No. 8.
The committee, which met again on Thursday (15) to finalise arrangements, is investigating allegations that Tennakoon misused his official powers in a manner deemed severe and improper.
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