Former Director-Media of the Department of Agriculture KB Gunaratne claims local farmers have been inconvenienced by the purchase of fertiliser by Sri Lanka at a time when world fertiliser prices were at its highest.
KB Gunaratne noted that due to the move the price of a bag of urea fertilizer has gone up to Rs. 20,000.
Addressing media in Kandy today, KB Gunaratne noted that the government should provide a fair solution to the problem with immediate effect.
He said the local fertiliser crisis which began at the start of the 2021 Yala season has not been resolved thus far.
KB Gunaratne said the increase in fertiliser prices have impacted the prices of goods in the country as well.
He said the government has not made a statement whether it will provide fertiliser free of charge or whether farmers will be required to pay massive amounts to purchase them.
The Former Director-Media of the Department of Agriculture also noted that the government has granted permission to private sector entities to import fertiliser which will also have a bearing on fertiliser prices.
