He also instructed officials to streamline the existing distribution system and explore alternative measures to address current import challenges.
The instructions were issued during a discussion held this morning (02) at the Presidential Secretariat with the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, K. D. Lalkantha, ministry officials, and senior representatives of relevant institutions.
The President highlighted the need for proper management of fertiliser stocks at the district level to ensure effective delivery to farmers and instructed measures to prevent hoarding and inflated pricing by certain traders. Officials confirmed that hoarded stocks had been recovered and handed over by the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Agrarian Development, with plans to maintain a strategic reserve amid the crisis.
Discussions also focused on the possibility of importing fertiliser through alternative mechanisms by engaging countries not affected by the regional conflict.
Other attendees included Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture D. P. Wickramasinghe, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Kapila Janaka Bandara, Chairman of the State Fertiliser Company T. C. W. Sethuge, Commissioner General of the Department of Agrarian Development and Director of the National Fertiliser Secretariat Chandana Lokuhewage, along with officials of the Ministry and representatives of fertiliser import companies.
