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MP Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera, who has been an advocate for organic agriculture in the country, had recently refuted claims that he was behind the moves to ban chemical fertilisers from being imported to the country.
Ven. Rathana Thera had stated that he was not aware of the move until the relevant cabinet paper prohibiting chemical fertiliser was presented to the Cabinet by the President.
He told Parliament that although he was part of a group that launched a massive ideological campaign to promote organic farming in the country, they had never stated that it was possible to introduce organic farming within 24 hours through a cabinet paper.
The Thera further noted that he was not included in any of the two committees appointed by the Government to implement this organic farming concept.
“When an important decision like this is taken, a committee of experts should be appointed. Is there any committee under the President or the Agriculture Minister appointed on weedicide and organic fertiliser production? We regret that the great concept of organic farming became a failure due to poor decision-making,” the Thera added.