• Fertiliser importers were unwilling to import chemical fertiliser in fear of the declining demand
• Although they had paid money they had not yet received fertilisers

By Dayaratne Embogama  

State Minister Duminda Dissanayake said the fertiliser importers were unwilling to import chemical fertiliser in fear of the declining demand due to the increasing prices of fertiliser.  Addressing  a meeting of a farmer organisation at Thirapane in Anuradhapura, he said the prices of chemicals had increased in large proportions.  

Representatives of Farmer Organisations told the state minister that although they had paid money they had not yet received fertilisers. They pointed out that they pawned their jewellery and raised loans from private money lenders to pay for fertiliser.  

However, the state minister promised to meet their requirements of fertiliser for maize and paddy cultivation soon. 
He said the government had permitted the import of chemical fertiliser, but importers were reluctant to import fertiliser of which the price had increased by five times when compared to previous prices. 

• The state minister promised to meet their requirements of fertiliser for maize and paddy cultivation soon
• Importers were reluctant to import fertiliser of which the price had increased by five times