The Ministry of Agriculture has decided to suspend the services of approximately 50 Agricultural Research and Production Assistants who have allegedly committed various frauds and caused irregularities in distributing fertiliser during the 2022-2023 Maha season and to conduct disciplinary inquiries against nearly 300 officials to determine their involvement in fraudulent activities in relation to the distribution of fuel to farmers in the 2022 Yala season.

At a meeting to discuss the progress of fertiliser distribution during the Maha season on Wednesday (18), the Department of Agrarian Development presented details pertaining to the above matter to Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera. With regard to officers alleged of engaging in fraudulent activities pertaining to the distribution of fuel to farmers, the department informed Amaraweera that certain officers had obtained money and issued fuel licences to farmers who had not cultivated paddy, while some officers have been accused of issuing fake fuel licences.

In consideration of the matters, Amaraweera has instructed the department to suspend the services of approximately 50 officers who have been accused of committing fertiliser distribution-related frauds and irregularities and initiate necessary disciplinary action against them, while also instructing that disciplinary inquiries be launched against nearly 300 officers accused of committing fuel distribution-related frauds and irregularities.

During the last Yala and Maha seasons, the Ministry distributed several types of fertiliser, including chemical and organic fertiliser, to farmers. Additionally, as there was a serious shortage of fuel, particularly diesel, which is needed for activities pertaining to cultivating and harvesting paddy, the Ministry had also initiated a programme to issue licences, with which the farmers were able to purchase a particular number of litres of diesel last year (2022).