Lankan President tells Mahanayakes he will not go back on banning chemical fertilizers
Posted on June 27th, 2021
Courtesy NewsIn.Asia
Colombo, June 27: Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has informed the highest Buddhist Council, the Maha Sangha, including the Asgiri Mahanayaka Thero, that he will not take back the decision to allow only organic. His aim is to endow a healthy future for the country, he told the religious leaders.
The President also assured that he will not allow any farmer to face inconveniences during the implementation of the program.
Due to the use of chemical fertilizers, farmers in many parts of the island suffer from many non-communicable diseases including kidney disease. The damage they have done to the environment is immense he added.
The government also spends more than US$ 400 million annually on chemical fertilizer imports. The President pointed out to the Maha Sangha that the use of organic fertilizer would enable the farmers to receive the funds that flow out to foreign companies when importing chemical fertilizers.
The President made these remarks when he called on the Maha Sangha including the Mahanayake Theros of the Asgiri Chapter on June 27.
President Rajapaksa said that prior to 2015 the country made tremendous progress in a short period of time as the government officials did not hesitate to take decisions. He pointed out that these officials had to face various difficulties during the previous government’s tenure, including imprisonment on false charges. Government officials are reluctant to take decisions and implement them for fear that they would be punished in the future for implementing development plans. Therefore, it is unfortunate that many activities in the country are being disrupted due to this unnecessary fear, the President said.
Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thero, the Mahanayake of the Asgiri Chapter, commended the President for the program implemented to successfully face the Covid-19 pandemic.
The President briefed the Mahanayake Thero on the vaccination drive being carried out to control the Covid-19 pandemic. The Mahanayake Thero chanted Seth Pirith and blessed the President. The caretaker of the Muthiyangana Rajamaha Vihara Ven. Dr. Muruthdeniye Dhammarathana Thero was also present.
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