Fertiliser imports solely by the private sector

The private sector is to be given the sole responsibility of importing fertiliser for farmers for the next Maha season cultivation starting in September this year while the state will not will be involved in such imports, the Agriculture Ministry announced.

The Finance Ministry has been entrusted with the task for providing some fertiliser subsidy to all farmers under the present stressful situation, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

This will help to prevent alleged corrupt practices of ruling party politicians in importing and distributing fertiliser, he said adding that hereafter no one can points finger at politicians and officials towards this end.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, agriculture experts and officials have warned of a food crisis in the coming months if the new administration fails to find solutions to the dollar crisis.

Food commodity importers recently warned of higher food prices and shortages of food items after the ban on open account and DA/DP transactions with a view to overcoming the forex crisis by raising rates and preventing private credit.

However the Central Bank on Monday announced that it will facilitate the task of providing dollars from banks for food imports following the ban on open account imports. (Bandula)