The Minister of Agriculture should resign as he and his government had failed to control the ‘Sena’ caterpillar which has spread to all parts of the country, MP Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said today.

He told a media conference after Mahinda Rajapaksa assumed duties as the Opposition Leader that ‘Sena’ had already destroyed more than thousand acres of maize cultivation.

“When it was first reported from the Ampara District, what should have been done was to prevent maize being transported outside the district. If the Government had properly dealt with the issue in the first place, this would have been under control,” the MP said.

He said the government had taken this matter for granted.

"They should have been more responsible because this might become a major threat to the country in the near future,” the MP said.

He said it has reached a situation where ‘Sena’ could not be controlled and added that the government should take prompt action before it spreads to the paddy and tea growing areas.(Sheain Fernandopulle)