Manusha claims intelligence sleuths fled from farmers’ protest

Intelligence operatives were present at a protest by farmers demanding fertiliser in Hiniduma, Galle, SJB MP Manusha Nanayakkara claimed. He said that the intelligence operatives fled when farmers attempted to talk to them.

A significant number of farmers in Galle were tea smallholders, the MP said. A common complaint of the farmers was that the tea bushes were withering for want of fertiliser.

The MP said that the President had thought that the task of running the country was as easy as the beautification of Colombo.

“Now, the President claims that he has no experience in governing the country. We warned the people of this,” he said.

Nanayakkara also pointed out that some individuals recorded the protest and he alleged that they were intelligence operatives. “Why are you recording? Whom are you going to show this to?”

Nanayakkara said farmers in Galle are in deep trouble due to crop losses.

“They can’t maintain tea plantations with organic fertiliser. They can’t even afford basic provisions now. Most of the people here voted for the SLPP. Now, they are with me, burning Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Bandula Gunawardane in effigy. This is how unpopular the government has become,” he said.