A consignment of organic potassium chloride fertilizer imported from Lithuania arrived at the Port of Colombo yesterday afternoon. This stock of fertilizer consists of 30,000 metric tons.
The Minister of Agriculture Mahindananda Aluthgamage had posted a note on his Facebook page yesterday afternoon regarding the arrival of this stock of fertilizer in the country.
It stated, ‘The first consignment of organic potassium fertilizer required for the Maha season is landed at the Port of Colombo!’
However, about five hours later the note was revised and the word potassium was removed. It now states, ‘The first consignment of organic fertilizer required for the Maha season is landed at the Port of Colombo!’
Many people who use social media say that this fertilizer is not organic fertilizer but chemical fertilizer saying that they have imported organic fertilizer.
The Minister of Agriculture and the government have been insulted over this situation and some say that it seems that the Advanced Level Chemistry teachers have so far taught lies. Some say they have to go back to school to learn that potassium chloride is a natural component.
Belarus is the world’s largest producer of chemical fertilizers and some say that they export its fertilizer through neighboring Lithuania. Therefore, they point out that the chemical fertilizer produced in Belarus may have arrived in Sri Lanka through Lithuania.
