CID probe into Nano fertilizer import allegation: Shasheendra

22 November 2021 01:15 pm Views - 1340

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has been informed to conduct an impartial inquiry into whether any financial irregularity had taken place when importing Nano nitrogen liquid fertilizer from India, State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa said today.

He told Parliament that importing of nano liquid fertilizer was done with the recommendation and supervision of the Director General of Agriculture Department through legitimate procurement process.

Raising a privilege issue, the Minister said SJB MP Rohini Kumari Kavirathna stated in parliament that he was involved in a fraud behind fertilizer import, defended himself that he had never interfered in the process and said he was ready to face any investigation.

He said the process of nano liquid fertilizer import and distribution took place in Sri Lanka by the state-owned Colombo Fertilizer Company with the approval of the Cabinet following due procurement procedure.

The State Minister also said the controversial organic fertilizer shipment from China was also imported with the recommendation of the Director General of Agriculture Department through the due procurement process with the approval of the Cabinet.(Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera)