Chandana Lokuhewage, Director of the National Fertilizer Secretariat Sri Lanka, says samples of a stock of Muriate of Potash (MOP) fertilizer allegedly linked to an old shipment have been sent for laboratory testing.
The fertilizer stock was reportedly transported from a warehouse in Thambuttegama to the Rambewa Agrarian Service Centre.
According to Lokuhewage, laboratory analysis will determine whether the fertilizer is currently suitable for agricultural use.
The issue emerged after allegations were raised yesterday (15) claiming that fertilizer originally allocated under a 2019 subsidy programme had recently been distributed to farmers in Pandukabayapura within the Rambewa Agrarian Service Centre area in Mahakanadarawa, Anuradhapura District.
Farmers alleged that the MOP fertilizer was substandard and consisted of expired fertilizer imported several years ago.
Lokuhewage stated that fertilizer samples were immediately collected through the Deputy Director of the Anuradhapura Fertilizer Secretariat and sent to Colombo for urgent testing.
He further said that inquiries with the relevant fertilizer company indicated the stock had actually been imported from Canada in 2022 rather than 2019.
According to him, the fertilizer had received official approval following laboratory testing conducted at the time of importation.
However, authorities stated that the newly collected samples will undergo fresh testing to assess their present quality and condition.
