• I will stand by the President to continue this programme even if it affects my political image

The “Green Agriculture programme” of the government would be carried on despite many challenges it might have to face, Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said yesterday.   

“I will stand by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to continue the Green Agriculture programme even if it affects my political image,” the Minister said during a meeting with officials attached to the Agriculture sector.   
“Wrong advice given by various persons had resulted in a crisis in the agriculture sector. There is an agriculture mafia operating in this country. It is this invisible hand which got rid of former Secretary to Ministry of Agriculture Udith Jayasinghe who was a capable man,” he added.   

The Minister said he intends having feed back meetings every month to ensure that planned programmes are implemented effectively.  

• The Minister said he intends having feed back meetings every month to ensure that planned programmes are implemented
• There is an agriculture mafia operating in this country