Request to test imported agro-chemicals

Hemanthi Guruge

National Freedom Front Politburo member Piyasiri Wijenayake, has requested Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to test all imported agro-chemicals, to find out whether they are contaminated with arsenic.

Wijenayake speaking at a press briefing yesterday at the NFF party office at Battaramulla said people had different ideas about the arsenic problem.

"The Agriculture Minister assured that locally produced rice varieties do not contain arsenic. But some people allege that locally produced rice varieties contain arsenic due to the use of agro-chemicals and it was a major cause of kidney diseases in the North Central Province," he said.

He said that arsenic and mercury were found in a sample of agro-chemicals tested by the Kelaniya University recently. Therefore, he requested the responsible authorities to investigate the matter.

He said there were rumours about locally produced rice being contaminated with arsenic which could also have affected corn, Kurakkan. Wijenayake urged that legal action be taken against those responsible for trying to mislead the authorities and conniving with Multi National Companies. Arsenic is extremely hazardous to humans. A special 2001 Gazette banned arsenic and mercury.