Ruwan asks Govt to give reason for Agri Secretary’s removal

The government has to come out with the real reason for the removal of Prof. Udith Jayasinghe from his post as Secretary Ministry of Agriculture and thereby clarify whether he was removed for speaking the truth with regard to the agriculture sector, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday.

" Prof. Jayasinghe was removed from his post less than 24 hours after he stated that sudden change over to organic fertilizer had resulted in the paddy harvest and harvest from other crops have declined by 75percent," Mr. Wijewardene said. “government officials will be disoriented if they are removed as soon as they make a statement," he added. He said three secretaries of the Agriculture Ministry had been removed during the last two years. "The person who is going to succeed Mr. Jayasinghe is going to be the fourth appointment to the Agriculture Ministry," he said.(YOHAN PERERA)