Peasants talk to MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka who visited them yesterday. 
Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana  

• They are frustrated with both the government and the opposition
• Says they have been forced to give up cultivation because of the high prices of fertilizer 
• Peasants are demanding compensation for the loss of their harvest as a result of using organic fertilizer, resolve their land issues, and to reduce taxes

By Yohan Perera  

The National Peasants Collective which staged a protest in front of Parliament Junction yesterday said they are frustrated with both government and the opposition.  

A member of the Collective Anuradha Tennekoon told journalists that they have been forced to give up cultivation because of the high prices of fertilizer. We have to be cultivating now but we are forced to launch a continuous Sathyagraha as we cannot afford to purchase even the very little stocks of fertilizer that are available,” he said.  

“A kilo of fertilizer costs several thousands and we have to sell a kilo of rice for at least Rs 300 a kilo,” Tennekoon added.  

“We are frustrated with the opposition as well as it has failed to come up with a solution for our issues. “We have got fed up with all opposition members including the Leader of Opposition,” he said.  

The peasants handed over a document which contains a set of proposals that they have prepared to resolve the political issues and the issues faced by them.  

The peasants are demanding compensation for the loss of their harvest as a result of using organic fertilizer, resolve their land issues, and to reduce taxes.