Election Commission responds to provision of fertilizer subsidy

Colombo, October 03 (Daily Mirror) - Amid confusion surrounding the government's decision to provide a fertiliser subsidy of Rs. 25,000 to paddy farmers, the Election Commission (EC) stated it has no objections to the move.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Commissioner of General Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake said, "This decision was initially made by the previous government, which the EC withdrew as it was seen as a move to promote a candidate."

"However, the latest move to grant the fertiliser subsidy by the new government is the execution of the earlier decision," he pointed out.

Meanwhile, Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture M.P.N.M. Wickramasinghe today announced the provision of an allowance of Rs. 25,000 per hectare to paddy farmers.