The meeting organized under the theme “Farmers to the fore under the Mahinda Chinthana” had the participation of more than 5000 Agricultural Officers representing all the districts in the island.

The president said that the present administration has entrusted faith on the local farmers and the local community. Some administrations believed that importing the agricultural products from foreign countries is the only solution for the domestic issues. They wanted to strengthen the wheat flour farmers abroad than local farming community. But, President Rajapakse said that no government can bring prosperity to the country without boosting local food production . Therefore realizing this fact the government has allocated large sums of funds to provide the fertilizer subsidy to farmers in addition to other facilities.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa also pointed out that some powerful nations are trying to destroy countries which are emerging up on their own. He added that the factions who are trying to make regime change want to tear down the unity of the nation and bring a weak leader who bows down to their dictates to the front. He said that the people should be vigilant of this fact.

Three agro-scientists who rendered a dedicated service to the agricultural sector were also felicitated at the event.

Ministers Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Deputy Minister Y.G,Padmasiri, President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunga were among those present on the occasion.(KH)