Senior Lecturer at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura Professor Meththika Vithanage says it is unadvisable to import organic matter such as compost.
Speaking during a media briefing in Colombo, Prof. Vithanage said organic matter may contain a number of pathogenic microorganisms.
She said one tonne of compost is required for every kilogram of nitrogen adding if this continues, paddy fields will become unusable.
She said compost produced in Sri Lanka originate from the 260 garbage sites in the country adding however this contains harmful substances due to there being no streamlined process to dispose harmful waste.
Prof. Vithanage said wastewater from these sites contain a high percentage of harmful substances including Cadmium, Chromium and Arsenic.
She said due to this, nitrogen and compost are used in a hybrid mixture in order to minimise any harmful components.
