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Walapane tobacco farmers face legal heat
View(s):Several farmers in Walapane in Nuwara Eliya who have switched to growing tobacco in paddy lands are being told by local officials that it is illegal and they will face lawsuits.
Cases have already been filed against some farmers.
Nuwara Eliya District Secretary, Rohana Pushpakumara, said he would file lawsuits.
He made the remarks addressing a District Agrarian Committee meeting held at the Nuwara Eliya District Secretariat Office on September 10.
The president of the Walapane Kandeyaya Govi Organisation, D.H.M. Jayasekara, said some are compelled to grow tobacco, which endangers the environment.
About 10 people grow tobacco in Amban Ella, Madulla and Yatimadura.
“We met them and asked them to stop but they won’t listen. If they don’t then others also may be compelled to start growing tobacco. They say if legal action is taken, then their sponsoring companies will help them.’’
They will destroy the whole of Walapane, he claimed.
“Earlier too, tobacco growing was the sole cause of the destruction of Walapane. So we express our strong dissatisfaction over it.’’
S. M.P.K. Weerasekara Menike, the Agrarian Services Assistant Commissioner, said tobacco can not be grown under the Govi Jana Services Act. “Now we have filed action in court against a few people. We will take legal action against others, too.’’
Walapane Kandeyaya Govi Organisation president said: “Those growing tobacco are not afraid of lawsuits as their sponsoring agencies spend money on them. In future, we have decided not to give them subsidised fertiliser. Not only that, cutting down trees to dry the tobacco will destroy the entire environment.
“They have been growing tobacco since 1960 and now in most places in our area, there is no water to drink.’’
S.M.P.K.Weerasekara said: “Farmers seem happy over delays in court hearings. It is an advantage for them. I am personally interfering in this and taking legal action against tobacco growers.’’
Nuwara Eliya District agrarian committee president, Rohana Pushpakumara said farmers can take a decision at Govijana Seva meetings.
“This destruction should be stopped immediately. If we allow it, we will have to face serious problems in future. There is a possibility under the Govi Jana Seva Act for legal action. The tendency in our country is more blessings for the wrong doers. When trying to do good, more obstacles stand in our way, but as officials, we should protect the farmers.’