Sugath Kulatunga

Crisis Management:

The present crisis in Uda Walave of the inability to provide water not only for irrigation but even for household use is tragic. But what is more tragic is the typical pollical game of passing the buck by our political leaders which is deplorable. They do not seem to realize that they are playing with the lives of the people who are facing an existential threat.

It is sad to see the Minister of Agriculture appealing to the good sense of the CEB to resolve the problem by releasing a minimum of water to the Walave tank from the Samanal Weva. But the CEB makes the excuse that it would mean a widespread power cut in the South. It is understood that the cabinet prefers an uninterrupted power supply rather than save the livelihood of the Walawe farmers. This is not an issue which should take into account only the sentiments of politicians and obdurate bureaucrats. It is an issue where an economic decision should be taken after a simple cost/benefit analysis of the two options.

If a political decision is preferable the government should take a lesson from the bitter experience of the organic fertilizer debacle.

What is worrisome is the lack of interest of the Preside to intervene to resolve this crisis.

It appears that the President who should intervene in this crisis is preoccupied with the ‘dignity” of the people in the North than the destiny of the people in the deep South.

It has also to be noted that irrigation water is given free to farmers who do not appreciate the need to economise its use. Some of the cultural practices of excessive flooding of fields to control weeds need modification. Agriculture and irrigation authorities have a vital role to play in educating the farmers about water use and also strictly following the schedules of the release of water. In the olden days the ‘nakaths’ were used to synchronise these events.

2. Research by Academics.

A few days back University Professors took umbrage against a statement alleged to have been made by the Minister of Justice Wijedasa Rajapakse that a university professor works only 4 hours a week but draws a high salary. A spokesman of the professors contesting this statement of the Minister said that the Minister has not considered the research work done by the professors.

It is unfortunate that such research is not available for the benefit of students and of the public and for scrutiny by the peers of their authors. During this writer’s days in Peradeniya, we were not aware of any research done by the Professor in charge of the Department. His contribution to teaching to final-year students was also limited to reading off pages from a small pocketbook from the Basic Series.

May be the present generation of Professors is engaged in original research. It is suggested that the University create a website where such research is published for the benefit of other academics, students, and the general public. Unlike in the past, there is no need to resort to printed hard copies which was quite expensive.

It is important that the unpublished research of academics in the past too is made available on such a website. It is noted that some of them may be critical in clarifying historical facts like the unpublished thesis of Professor Indrapala.

3.Indian Investment for Poultry and Dairy development

Aug 5 (Daily News reported that Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said that two well-known companies from India have submitted requests to invest money to commence business activities to produce chicken and eggs in the country and Amul of India is interested in investing in milk production.

It is not understood why we need Indian investment to produce large-scale production of chicken and eggs. The technology of chicken and egg production on a commercial scale is already there in SL. Firms lik Bairaha on broilers and a number of other commercial farms have operated with success for many years. What the government should now support is the small-scale production of chicken on simple and tested technology like in deep litter which will be a source of employment and income generation.

The interest shown by Amul of India is encouraging. Their cooperative farms concept is attractive. They should be involved with the upgrading of our buffalo herd.(ones in the Diyawanna pastures are beyond help and needs extensive culling.)