Sri Lanka President promotes organic farming

Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa says the government has a clear vision to boost the organic farming in the country to provide the public with local foods free from artificial chemicals and the agricultural officials should encourage the farmers to adhere to organic farming.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the agricultural exhibition at Agricultural Technology Park, Bata-atha in Hambanthota this morning, the President said necessary funds will be disbursed to agricultural projects and urged the farmer community to take the maximum advantage of the country's soil and natural resources to create a self-sufficient economy.



The President said it is mandatory to attract youth to the agricultural sector and pointed out that due prestige should also be given to the farmer community and farmers should be promoted in the society.
The President renamed the Bata-atha Agricultural Technology Park as the Chamal Rajapaksa Agricultural Technology and Tourism Park in observance of the "Farmers' Week" under the theme 'Tharuna Govi Diriya ; Isurubara Heta davasai' (Strength of young farmer brings in a prosperous tomorrow).
Using the newly installed video technology facility at the Agriculture Research Centre at Bata-atha, President Rajapaksa joined a video discussion with Peradeniya Agriculture Centre after opening the Agri Sales Centre, at Bata-atha.
A First Day Cover issued to mark the event was also presented to the President.
Speaker of Parliament Chamal Rajapaksa, Ministers Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Mahinda Amaraweera, Chief Minister of Southern Province Shan Vijayalal de Silva, Deputy Minister Jagath Pushpakumara, MPs Namal Rajapaksa and V K Indika and officials of the Agriculture Ministry were present at the occasion.
(Photos by Chandana Perera)