Malwatu Mahanayake Thera says A food crop programme is underway covering all temples

By Shane Seneviratne   

The Mahanayake of the Malwatu Chapter Ven. Thibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera said a food production programme covering all temples in the country had already been launched in view of the imminent food scarcity.   

During a meeting with a group of university teachers including Prof. Buddhi Marambe of the Agriculture Faculty and Coordinator of the Collective of University Teachers to Protect Agriculture in Sri Lanka Prof. Nalika Ranathunga who presented their recommendations to boost agricultural development in the country, The Ven.Thera said the scholars in the agricultural sector have warned that the country would face a severe scarcity of food and that the people should focus attention on cultivating food crops as much as possible.   

“ With this in view a crash programme would be implemented through the Chief Incumbents of temples all over the country to boost cultivation of food crops. It is our anticipation to set an example through temples.” Ven. Mahanayake Thera further said.   

Anunayake Ven. Niyangoda Vijithasiri Thera pointed out that Prof. Marambe had forecast a serious set back in the agricultural sector when the use of chemical fertilizer was banned and switched to organic fertilizer at once. He pointed out that the Maha Sangha had a prominent part to play in encouraging farmers.   

The lekakadikari of the Malwatta Chapter Ven. Pahamune Sumangala Thera was also present at the occasion.