Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2013-07-25

Indiscriminate usage of Chemical Fertilizer and Agro Chemicals; and the prevailing Kidney related diseases in the North Central Province

- the use of Chemical Fertilizer and Agro Chemicals was introduced to the country with the objective of increasing crop productivity and ensuring food security and although near self sufficiency has been achieved due to the usage of same, it has been observed that the country is experiencing some adverse effects of same such as damage to bio-diversity, contamination of water and soil due to chemical substances etc., leading to various health problems, particularly such as Kidney related diseases in the North Central Province. Recommendations on measures to be adopted in this regard were submitted by the Cabinet Sub-Committee chaired by Hon. Athauda Seneviratne, Minister (Senior) for Rural Affairs and attended by 13 Ministers. Secretaries to the relevant Ministries and 58 Scientists were also involved in the deliberations. Proposals submitted in this regard by Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Minister of Agriculture were also taken into consideration. There are 19 long term measures and 10 short terms measures recommended in the relevant report. The recommendations were approved by the Cabinet for implementation, giving due consideration to the observations made in this regard by the Minister of Finance and Planning; and the Minister of Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities. A Cabinet Sub-Committee and an Officials' Committee were appointed to monitor the implementation of the recommendations.