Nov 16, Colombo: Minister of Agriculture, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Mahinda Amaraweera said that arrangements have been made to release the entire 22,000 metric tons of urea fertilizer received in Sri Lanka under the World Bank loan assistance for paddy cultivation in the Maha season from today (16) through all agricultural service centers.

The Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Mahinda Amaraweera, stated this when he arrived to observe the unloading of the second stock of 22,000 metric tons of urea fertilizer which reached the port of Colombo Tuesday morning (15).

The Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Mr. Gunadasa Samarasinghe, the Chairmen of Lanka Fertilizer Company and Commercial Fertilizer Company also participated in this event.

The Minister instructed the officials to pay more attention to whether the urea fertilizer is of the correct weight while filling the bags.

Speaking to media, the Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera said by now all the warehouses of both the fertilizer companies are full of fertilizers and they have to get some more warehouses on rental basis. Also, distribution of urea fertilizer to all agricultural service centers is currently being done.

Also, the entire amount of fertilizer required for paddy cultivation has already been given to the agricultural service centers.

The Minister requested the officials to be kind to the farmers who come to the agricultural service centers.

The Minister said he has received complaints that some officials working in agricultural service centers are acting in a way that discourage the farmers, and the minister mentioned that strict disciplinary measures will be taken against such officials and if necessary, they will even be suspended.

The Minister also said that a group of people who claim to be farmers’ organizations are engaged in a program to discourage the farmers from engaging in farming.

Meanwhile, the said three Urea shipments are scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka in the near future and hence, there will be no need to import rice as there is enough fertilizer available for the farmers.

He said the urea fertilizer and MOP fertilizer will be received during this month and President Ranil Wickramasinghe has agreed to provide a subsidy of 20,000 rupees to farmers who use organic fertilizers.

Therefore, Minister Amaraweera asked the farmers to cultivate without fear as they will get enough chemical fertilizers in this season.