Audio:There must be some other reason - Min.Yapa

23 June 2012 09:41 am - 10 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana denied charges made against the governments agricultural policy by former Presidential advisor on Agricultural Affairs Hemakumara Nanayakkara, and said that “there must be some other reasons for his resignation”

Speaking to the Daily Mirror regarding key issues raised by Nanayakkara, who resigned his post, the Minister said that the government has given all facilities necessary for farming. “You must understand the fact that it was this government who has given all the necessary facilities for the farmers, not only fertilizer subsidies but all other facitlites are being provided. When there was a problem last year regarding some farmers the government gave seed free to them, the worst affected got money as well in that instance” he said.

When the Daily Mirror asked the Minister about specific issues raised by Nanayakkara regarding the purchase of paddy for prices below the guaranteed minimum, the Minister said that there is no truth to this claim. “ There is a board that purchases paddy from the farmers and this board has not been given the authority to purchase any paddy at a price below the guaranteed minimum, it must be the private sector who bought paddy at the price as claimed” he said.

When asked as to the charges of the proposed airports to be built in Kundasale and Seethaeliya, the Minister said that no decision has been taken regarding the building of an airport in these areas. “I spoke about this in parliament yesterday, there is no such plan to build a airport in Kundasale, Its true that people are trying to draw plans to build airports in different areas of the country but there is no decision about building an airport in Kundasale, no one has informed us about such a decision, event in Seethaeliya the people went there surveyed the place and got back but there was no decision taken regarding the building of an airport there, we haven’t even spoken about the how much land needed for those areas” he said.

The Daily Mirror also asked the Minister about the charges leveled against other industries related to agriculture such as the Milk industry, the Minister said Nanayakkara had the authority to rectify these faults as the advisor to the President. “ He was the Advisor on Agricultural affairs and he had the authority to rectify them, why didn’t he do so?” he asked.

When the Daily Mirror pointed out the Nanayakkara speaking to us earlier said that he did report all irregularities to the authorities only to be ignored by them, the Minister said this can be a reason for the resignation. “Then he must be resigning on the fact that his recommendations were not considered and not for any other issue or this particular issue, he must be having some other reasons for his resignation” ( By Hafeel Farisz)

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Comments - 10

Dammika Saturday, 23 June 2012 11:10 AM

Don't talk like a KID

Mahen Saturday, 23 June 2012 11:41 AM

Clearly minister is safeguarding his empire.

Matter of time before few more policy makers to come out with the truth behind other activities too.

senavi Saturday, 23 June 2012 12:31 PM

Minister you sound like government is someone's property - it is people money which most politicians consider as they inherited from their parents

Manushya Saturday, 23 June 2012 01:10 PM

Is this a symptom of "alu yata gini"?

jayantha Saturday, 23 June 2012 05:08 PM

This is the truth coming out , one by will soon resined for the parliment we are watching the puput show

Dinesh Sunday, 24 June 2012 03:34 AM

The dirt that is swept under carpet is starting to smell.....

Nodrog Sunday, 24 June 2012 05:08 AM

Seems like cracks are forming in the walls of the ruling clan and only a matter of time till it all crumbles.

Dalu Banda Sunday, 24 June 2012 05:40 AM

After smelling bad weather ahead, usually the wise rats are jumped over the boat.

sltk2004 Sunday, 24 June 2012 09:21 AM

There may be other reasons. But please check whether the reasons give are valid or not.

Sena Bakmeewewa Sunday, 24 June 2012 10:34 AM

superb English by this man who is a well known rogue Minister. Good enough to sit in the Westminister parliament not Kotteif the Brisitshers vote for him

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Audio:There must be some other reason - Min.Yapa

Comments - 10

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