26 October 2021 02:02 pm Views - 7133
Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage today advised the ministry secretary to remove Prof. Buddhi Marambe of the Agriculture Faculty of the Peradeniya University from all posts he held at the Ministry with immediate effect.
The notice in this regard has been issued today.
Accordingly, the professor has been removed from the Expert Committee to formulate a National Agriculture Policy, the Sri Lanka Agriculture Sector Modernization Project, and the Smallholder Agribusiness Partnerships Programme.
The notice revealed that Prof. Marambe had held the position as a director of a chemical fertilizer company "CIC Holdings" for several years and for launching various campaigns against the previous Government’s decision to suspend the importation of the herbicide Glyphosate.
The Ministry sources said Prof. Marambe had influenced the university sector, social activist groups, and the public by making controversial statements against the agricultural policies of the government.
He has further been accused of criticizing the Government’s moves to engage in agricultural activities that safeguard the environment, the Ministry added. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)