A group of university professors, lecturers, and senior officials in the field of agriculture

25^th October, 2021

Prof. Udith K. Jayasinghe-Mudalige
Secretary
Ministry of  Agriculture

Dear Sir,

Overcoming the Current Agriculture Crisis

We, as a senior group of agricultural researchers and academia, would be pleased to propose a course of action, which should be consistent with the Government’s vision for a healthy and green agriculture. We willingly became signatories to this letter  to propose solutions acceptable to all parties including the farmers, the majority of whom are relentlessly and adamantly demanding to continue with conventional agriculture as they know it.

You will appreciate that pursuing a goal of converting the country’s agriculture to 100% organic within a season or two is impossible as evident from the recent happenings and farmers’ revolt demanding for fertilizer and pesticides. We must note that the situation has been aggravated owing to the delays to meet the demand by way of organic and/or synthetic  chemical inputs in the requisite quantities.

While accepting the fact that His Excellency the President is not an expert in agriculture, but his vision for a toxin-free nation should be appreciated. Unfortunately, however, his advisors have not only failed to succinctly provide the requisite advice but also a strategy and a viable action plan at the ground level towards a ’healthy agriculture’.

 It is also evident from recent discourses that some of his close advisors are highly biased and ignorant of vital facts relating to our agriculture. At the same time, many senior officers appear to be non-committal and adopting a ‘save the skin’ attitude, virtually saying yes to everything to please the President.

Taking into account experiences of other countries’ achievements in promoting organic farming and the intrinsic potential of organic farming with the related current technologies, we would like to propose a course of action in agriculture that is consistent with the vision of the government and at the same time acceptable to farmers.

In this regard we  seek an audience with HE the President, and shall be pleased if you could arrange it.

Anticipating a favourable response from you,

Yours truly,

–

	Name	Designation	University
	Prof. D.K. N.G. Pushpakumara	Senior Professor	University of Peradeniya
	Prof. W.A.J.M. De Costa	Senior Professor	University of Peradeniya
	Prof. Devika M. De Costa	Professor	University of Peradeniya
	Prof. Buddhi Marambe	Senior Professor	University of Peradeniya
	Prof. Saman Dharmakeerthi	Professor	University of Peradeniya
	Prof. K.K.I.U. Arunakumara	Senior Professor	University of Ruhuna
	Prof. Nalika Ranathunge	Professor	University of Ruhuna
	Prof. Nilantha Lakshman	Professor	University of Ruhuna
	Prof. R.M.C.P. Rajapaksha	Professor	University of Peradeniya
	Dr. Warshi Dandeniya	Senior Lecturer	University of Peradeniya
	Dr. Mojith Ariyarathna	Senior Lecturer	University of Peradeniya
	Dr. Pradeep Gajanayake	Senior Lecturer	University of Sri Jayewardenepura
	Prof. Guttila Yugantha Jayasinghe	Professor	University of Ruhuna
	Prof. Ganganee Chandima Samaraweera	Professor	University of Ruhuna
	Prof. G. Thirukkumaran	Professor	University of Jaffna
	Dr. W.M.W. Weerakoon	Former DG of Agriculture	Department of Agriculture
	Prof. Jeevika Weerahewa	Senior Professor	University of Peradeniya
	Dr.  H.M. Gunatillake	Former Director, Environment And Safeguards Division	Asian Development Bank, Philippines
	Dr. Anurudda Karunarathna	Senior Lecturer	University of Peradeniya
	Dr. Chammi Attanayake	Senior Lecturer	University of Peradeniya
	Prof. B.C. Walpola	Professor	University of Ruhuna
	Prof. W.A.U. Vitharana	Professor	University of Peradeniya
	Dr. Parakrama Waidyanatha	Former Chairman	Coconut Research Board
	Mr. Ajith Silva	Former Additional Secretary	Ministry of Environment
	Dr. E.R.J. Samarakoon	Lecturer	University of Peradeniya
	Dr. Samantha Dissanayaka	Senior Lecturer	University of Peradeniya
	Dr. Nuwan De Silva	Senior Lecturer	University of Peradeniya
	Dr. Pradeepa Korale-Gedara	Senior Lecturer	University of Peradeniya
	Dr. Prasad Neelawala	Senior  Lecturer	Uva Wellassa University
	Mr. W.M.M.P. Hulugalla	Lecturer	University of Peradeniya
	Ms. P.R.M.K. Fernando	Lecturer	University of Peradeniya
	Dr. J.M. Seneviratne	Former Director	Export Agricultural Research Station
	Prof. Sarath P. Nissanka	Professor	University of Peradeniya
	Mr. S. A. Arunapriya	Former Addl. Secretary	Ministry of Agriculture
	Prof. Venura Herath	Professor	University of Peradeniya
	Prof. Pradeepa Silva	Senior Professor	University of Peradeniya
	Dr. Avanthi Igalavithana	Senior Lecturer	University of Peradeniya
	Prof. S. Wijetunga	Professor	University of Ruhuna
	Ms. E. M. G. P. Hemachandra	Lecturer	University of Peradeniya
	Prof. Indunil Pathirana	Professor	University of Ruhuna
	Dr. H.B.P. Sandani	Lecturer	The Open University of Sri Lanka
	Dr. V. N. S. Sirimalwatta	Senior Lecturer	University of Peradeniya
	Dr. W.N.U. Perera	Lecturer	University of Peradeniya
	Mr. Sandaruwan Subasinghe	Lecturer	University of Peradeniya
	Dr. Jinendra S Balasuriya	Senior Lecturer	University of Ruhuna
	Prof. WGD Lakmini	Professor	University of Ruhuna
	Prof. Deshapriya Rathnayaka	Professor	University of Peradeniya
	Dr. Gayathri Beligala	Senior Lecturer	Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine
	Mr. P.P. Ruwanpathirana	Lecturer	University of Ruhuna
	Dr. A.A.M. Subodinee	Senior Lecturer	University of Ruhuna
	Prof. A.L. Sandika	Professor	University of Ruhuna
	Ms. A. M. Y. W. Alahakoon	Lecturer	University of Peradeniya
	Dr. Suranga Kodithuwakku	Senior Lecturer	University of Peradeniya
	Ms. W.C.S. M. Abeysekara	Lecturer	University of Ruhuna
	Ms. W.T.V. Thathsaranee	Lecturer	University of Ruhuna
	Dr. Sarath Weerasena	Former DGA	Department of Agriculture
	Ms. L.M.J.N.K. Disanayaka	Lecturer	University of Peradeniya
	Mr. P.V.S. Harshana	Lecturer	University of Ruhuna
	Prof. A.R.S.B. Athauda	Professor	University of Peradeniya
	Prof. R.M. Fonseka	Professor	University of Peradeniya
	Mr. U. I. Samarawickrama	Lecturer	University of Ruhuna
	Prof. S.S. Kodithuwakku	Senior Professor	University of Peradeniya
	Prof. J.K. Vidanarachchi	Professor	University of Peradeniya
	Prof. L.M. Abeywickrama	Senior Professor	University of Ruhuna
	Prof. G.W.A.R. Fernando	Senior Professor	The Open University of Sri Lanka
	Mr. R.A.A.S. Rathnayaka	Lecturer	Rajarata University
	Dr. N.S. Abeysingha	Senior Lecturer	Rajarata University
	Ms. Sanduni Rathnayake	Lecturer	University of Peradeniya
	Prof. Lanka Ranawake	Professor	University of Ruhuna
	Dr. K.P.P. Kopiyawattage	Senior Lecturer	Rajarata University
	Dr. D.N. Vidana Gamage	Senior Lecturer	University of Peradeniya
	Mr. M.B.P.  Kumara Mahipala	Senior Lecturer	University of Paredeniya
	Dr. N.T.B. Madusankha	Senior Lecturer	Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine
	Prof. S. Subasinghe	Senior Professor	University of Ruhuna
	Mr. P. C. Arampath	Senior Lecturer	University of Peradeniya
	Dr. Priyantha Weerasinghe	Former Principal Scientist	Horticulture Crops Research and Development Institute, Department of Agriculture
	Prof. G. Thirukkumaran	Professor	University of Jaffna
	Dr. Sumith Abeysiriwardena	Former director	Rice Research and Development Institute of the Dept. of Agriculture
	Dr. B.L.W.K. Balasooriya	Senior Lecturer	Wayamba University
	Dr. D.M.D. Dissanayake	Senior Lecturer	Rajarata University
	Prof. N.Y. Hirimuthugoda	Professor	University of Ruhuna
	Dr. S.A.C.N. Perera	Senior Lecturer	University of Peradeniya
	Dr. P.E. Kaliyadasa	Senior Lecturer	Uva Wellassa University
	Mr. P.C.D. Perera	Lecturer	University of Ruhuna
	Dr. R.P.N.P. Rajapakse	Senior Lecturer	University of Peradeniya
	Dr. W.M.T.P. Ariyaratne	Senior Lecturer	University of Peradeniya
	Dr. B.E.P. Mendis	Senior Lecturer	University of Peradeniya
	Dr. Dimanthi Jayatilake	Senior Lecturer	University of Peradeniya
	Dr. Chandima Gajaweera	Senior Lecturer	University of Ruhuna
	Dr. W.E.M.L.J. Ekanayake	Senior Lecturer	University of Peradeniya
	Mr. Saman Warusawithana	Immediate past President	Organization of Professional Association (OPA)
	Dr. Aruni Wickramarathna	Senior Lecturer	University of Ruhuna
	Dr. Chamila Wijekoon	Senior Lecturer	University of Ruhuna
	Prof. H.M.I.K Herath	Professor	Wayamba University
	Dr. H.K.B.S. Chamara	Senior Lecturer	University of Sri Jayewardenepura
	Ms. P.D.B.J. Palihakkara	Lecturer	University of Peradeniya
	Prof. P. I. P. Perera	Professor	Wayamba University
	Prof. Chalinda Beneragama	Professor	University of Peradeniya
	Prof. B. C. Jayawardhana	Professor	University of Peradeniya
	Dr. N.U. Jayawardana	Senior Lecturer	University of Peradeniya
	Mr. F.H.C.A. Silva	Lecturer	University of Peradeniya
	Ms. D.M.M.R. Dissanayake	Lecturer	University of Peradeniya
	Prof. K.L. Wasantha Kumara	Senior Professor	University of Ruhuna
	Dr. Parakrama Weligamage	Senior Lecturer	University of Peradeniya
	Mr. K. Prasannath	Senior Lecturer	Eastern University Sri Lanka
	Mr. H.U. Warnakulasooriya	Former Additional Director (retired)	Department of Agriculture
	Dr. Thalata Ratnayake	Former Additional Director General	Department of Animal Production & Health
	Ms. V.N.D. Bulathsinhalage	Lecturer	University of Peradeniya
	Ms. P.G.A.S. Warnasooriya	Lecturer	University of Peradeniya
	Dr. K.P.P. Udayagee	Lecturer	University of Sri Jayewardenepura
	Dr. M. P. Dhanapala	Director/RRDI	Dept. Agriculture
	Ms. R.M.S. Wijerathna	Senior Lecturer	University of Peradeniya
	Dr. S. N. Dissanayake	Senior Lecturer	Rajarata University
	Mr. W.V.V.R. Weerasingha	Lecturer	Rajarata University
	Dr. Lasanthi Jayathunge	Senior Lecturer	University of Sri Jayewardenepura
	Prof. NMNK Narayana	Associate Professor	University of Ruhuna
	Prof. Meththika Vithanage	Professor	University of Sri Jayewardenepura
	Dr. R. F. Niranjana	Senior Lecturer	Eastern University Sri Lanka
	Prof. N. Kottearachchi	Professor	Wayamba University
	Ms. A.G.A.W. Alakolanga	Senior Lecturer	Uva Wellassa University
	Prof. E.D.N.S. Abeyrathne	Professor	Uva Wellassa University
	Dr. Deshani C. Mudannayake	Senior Lecturer	Uva Wellassa University
	Dr T. Geretharan	Senior Lecturer	Eastern University, Sri Lanka
	Prof. Kapila Dissanayaka	Professor	Sabaragamuwa University
	Dr. Ruvini Abhayapala	Senior Lecturer	University of Sri  Jayewardenepura
	Prof. A.W. Wijeratne	Professor	Sabaragamuwa University
	Prof. G.D.K. Kapila Kumara	Senior Lecturer	Sabaragamuwa University
	Dr. G.G. Sikurajapathy	Director Seed & Planting Materials	Dept  of Agricultures
	Prof. H.S.R. Rosairo	Professor	Sabaragamuwa University
	Prof. M.L.M.C. Dissanayake	Professor	Sabaragamuwa University
	Dr. A.D. Ampitiyawatta	Senior Lecturer	Sabaragamuwa University
	Dr. Geeshani Somaratne	Lecturer	University of Peradeniya
	Dr. Prasad Mahindarathne	Senior Lecturer	Uva Wellassa University
	Ms. Gayathri Rathnayake	Lecturer	Uva Wellassa University
	Dr. K. Pakeerathan	Senior Lecturer	University of Jaffna
	Mr. G. Asharp Sharmec	Lecturer	University of Jaffna
	Ms. E. A. L Lochana	Lecturer	Uva Wellassa University
	Ms. A.B.P. Bandara	Lecturer	University of Peradeniya
	Dr. M.W.A.C.S. Wijetunga	Senior Lecturer	Uva WEllassa University
	G. Abhiram	Lecturer	Uva Wellassa University
	Dr. Aruna Wijesooriya	Former Director	Sugarcane Research Institute