Agriculture Minister K.D. Anuradha Tennakoon says that a massive protest campaign will be launched from next Friday, demanding the immediate removal of Lal Kantha from his post. He made this statement while holding a media briefing.
He said that the Minister is taking steps to use paddy lands for other crops, which is clearly a violation of the Agrarian Development Act.
He pointed out that although the reclamation of paddy lands or their use for other purposes is prohibited according to existing rules and circulars, the Minister is fulfilling a contract with large-scale companies that import maize seeds.
Anuradha Tennakoon, Chairman of the National Farmers' Union, who strongly criticized the Minister's actions, said that he is acting irresponsibly without recognizing the problems of the farming community and is making false statements before the media.
"We will start a new round of the fight from next Friday until Lal Kantha resigns as the Minister of Agriculture or the government removes him. We will not give up this struggle for the rights of the farming community," Anuradha Tennakoon further emphasized.