Aluthgamage begins to worry about his political career

By Saman Indrajith

Minister of Agriculture, Mahindananda Aluthgamage yesterday said his political career had suffered an irreparable damage because of his involvement in the government’s organic fertiliser drive. Addressing a gathering at the Ministry, he said that the complaints made by farmers about organic fertiliser drive were justified.

“There were many issues why the organic fertiliser drive failed. The state machinery was not mobilised to achieve this task. I am the person most affected. This has done irreparable damage to my political career, spanning 32 years. Although I am the minister of agriculture, the state minister is in charge of fertiliser. I supported this drive because the President is my leader and I always back my leaders,” he said.

Minister Aluthgamage said that the imitative to go green would have led to sustainable agricultural practices in the country. However, the manner in which the government implemented the project has a lot to be desired for.

“We were not able to meet the targets. I don’t blame the farmers for protesting. I can assure that next year we will provide the seeds and agro-chemicals that farmers need.” he said.