The Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industry, Mr. Mahinda Amaraweera said that the statements made by various people in the media that under the current government they are working to sell water resources and charge a tax for water are completely false.
The minister mentioned this while addressing a press conference held at the Presidential Media Unit yesterday (29).
Statements made by some parties that the government is taking steps to sell water had been published in the media. But the government has not discussed or paid any attention in this regard. There was no discussion on this even in a cabinet meeting. Therefore, the government is not prepared to take any steps related to the privatization of water resources or the charging of a tax for it.
But there is a problem in the country related to sparing use of water. Especially in agriculture, many farmers do not implement the water management policies provided by the government when using water
But according to the predictions made by the local and international meteorological departments that they will have to face a severe drought in the upcoming yala season, the minister also mentioned that the agriculture people have responded well to the request made by the Ministry of Agriculture to use the water in the reservoirs sparingly.
According to the request made by the Ministry of Agriculture, the water levels in the lakes and reservoirs are still in good condition due to the efforts made by the farmers, and in addition to paddy cultivation, the farmers have been informed to grow additional crops under the tanks where there is not enough water to grow paddy in the yala season.
However, he emphasized that as the Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industries, he strongly rejects the current discussion regarding the sale of water, and that the government has not taken such a decision.
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