President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has informed the Maha Sangha that he will not take back the decision to use organic fertilizer towards endowing a healthy future generation to the country, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said today.

Further, he has assured that he will not allow any farmer to face inconveniences during the implementation of the programme.

Due to the use of chemical fertilizers, farmers in many parts of the island suffer from many non- communicable diseases including kidney disease and the damage it has done to the environment is immense. The government also spends more than USD 400 million annually on chemical fertilizer imports, the PMD added.

The President has pointed out to the Maha Sangha that the use of organic fertilizer would enable the farmers to receive the funds that flow out to foreign companies when importing chemical fertilizers.

The President made these remarks calling on the Maha Sangha including the Mahanayake Theros of the Asgiri Chapter earlier today.

Prior to 2015, the country made tremendous progress in a short period of time as the government officials did not hesitate to take decisions, President Rajapaksa stated. Nevertheless, he pointed out that these officials had to face various difficulties during the previous government’s tenure, including imprisonment on false charges. The public officials are reluctant to take decisions and implement them for fear that they would be punished in the future for implementing development plans, he added.

Therefore, it is unfortunate that many activities in the country are being disrupted due to this unnecessary fear, the President said further.

Meanwhile, Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thero, the Mahanayake of the Asgiri Chapter, commended the President for the programme implemented to successfully face the COVID-19 pandemic.

The President has briefed the Mahanayake Thero on the vaccination drive carried out to mitigate the virus outbreak.

He visited the Asgiri Gedige Rajamaha Vihara and paid a courtesy call on the Most Venerable Wedaruwe Upali Thero, the Anunayake of the Asgiri Chapter. The prelate, who praised the programme implemented by the President, invoked blessings on the President. Ven. Dr. Godagama Mangala Thero, senior Sangha Sabikmember of the Asgiri Chapter was also present at the occasion.

The President called on the Anunayake of the Asgiri Chapter Most Ven. Anamaduwe Dhammadassi Thero, the Registrar of the Asgiri Chapter Most Ven. Dr. Medagama Dhammananda Thero, the Deputy Registrar of the Asgiri Chapter Most Ven. Narampanawe Ananda Thero.

Meanwhile, Chief Incumbent Ven. Keppetiyagoda Siriwimala Nayaka Thero and other members of the Maha Sangha chanted Seth Pirith and invoked blessings on President Rajapaksa when he visited the Rajopawanarama Vihara in Gatambe.

Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Dela and Buddhasasana Ministry Secretary Professor Kapila Gunawardana were also present at this event, the PMD added.