Rs 60 b spent on fertiliser subsidy

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The government annually spends Rs 60 billion on the fertiliser subsidy although many expressed doubts about the continuous implementation of this relief programme, when it was initiated in 2006, Agrarian Services and Wildlife Minister S M Chandrasena said.

However, the fertiliser subsidy has been provided continuously for 16 cultivation seasons, he said.

The concession initially provided only to paddy farmers, has now being extended to tea, coconut, rubber, vegetables and fruit growers too, he said.

Minister Chandrasena said the country has become self-sufficient in rice as a result of the provision of the fertiliser subsidy as well as numerous other relief programmes.

"All leaders attempted to make Sri Lanka self- sufficient in rice. However, only President Mahinda Rajapaksa was able to achieve this objective," he said.

Certain groups had doubts regarding a rice shortage in the market due to the drought in many parts of the country. However, such a situation has not arisen due to the maintenance of a 20 percent of surplus stock of rice of the last Maha season, the minister said.

Chandrasena also said Sri Lanka has now become a rice exporting country.