Cabinet approval violated when importing nano nitrogen from India: Handunneththi

• Fertilizer had been imported through a private company contrary to the Cabinet approval

 By Ajith Siriwardana 

The consignment of nano nitrogen fertilizer had been imported from India against the Cabinet Paper submitted by the Agricultural Minister, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said yesterday.  

 Former JVP MP Sunil Handunneththi told a news conference that the Subject Minister sought the Cabinet approval to import the said fertilizer through Colombo Commercial Fertilizers Ltd.  

 He said, however, the fertilizer had been imported through a private company which is said to be an agent of the Indian fertilizer company, contrary to the Cabinet approval.  

 “People of this country should know how the decision that was taken at the Cabinet meeting changed later on. The Government should also clarify to the country how this Indian Company was chosen,” he said.   

 He said the Treasury had released US$ 1.257 million to a private Company and questioned as to how state funds were directly transferred to a private company’s account.  

 “Under whose instructions this transaction took place, and who granted approval to it? People should know these facts,” he said, and added that there should be a transparent procedure when transactions of such huge amounts change hands.