Anura Kumara takes stand against fertiliser shortage

By Ashwin Hemmathagama 

– Our Lobby Correspondent

Chief Opposition Whip Anura Dissanayake yesterday raised the alarm on the serious shortage of fertiliser prevailing in the agricultural areas of the country.

MP Dissanayake who skipped Parliament procedures and standing orders was seen on his feet charging the Government for not taking action. “It was decided to remove the fertiliser subsidy and to provide an allowance of Rs.25,000/- per annum from the last budget. But a serious fertiliser shortage is now being experienced. At this very moment thousands of farmers have taken to road in Medirigiriya in Polonnaruwa protesting against the fertiliser shortage. We would like the Minister to explain the action taken. The Government should not wait till we raise these issues here in Parliament but solve issues prudently,” he said.

However, in the absence of the Minister of Agriculture to provide an answer, Minister of Higher Education and Highways and the Leader of the House of Parliament Lakshman Kiriella protested MP Dissanayake’s action to skip Parliamentary tradition and standing orders to raise questions. 

“You can’t just get up and ask things. You should follow section 23-2 of the Standing Orders,” Minister Kiriella said.