Sirisena calls for strengthening foundations of agriculture in Lanka

Anuradhapura : Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has said that the foundations of agriculture in the country must be strengthened in order to build a healthy nation and uplift the people’s standards of living.

President Sirisena, who took part in the national “Aluth Sahal Mangalyaya” (new rice festival) held at the historic Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi premises in Anuradhapura this morning, said a strengthened agricultural foundation in the country will uplift the health and well-being of its citizens.

He said the new government is committed to preserve and protect the agriculture based culture and traditions of the country and has implemented many plans to empower the living standard of farmers, reports Lanka Page website.

Speaking about the chronic kidney disease affecting the farmer community, the President pointed out the disease has become a serious problem and every year about 5,000 people succumbed to the same.

He stressed that if proper action is not taken to produce and consume toxin-free foods within the next 10-15 years then the disease will affect the entire country.

The President said manufacturing of toxin free food was a key concern of the public over the past decades and added that a number of programs were launched in this regard but they were not implemented effectively.

The event was organized under the auspices of Chief Incumbent of Atamasthanaya Venerable Pallegama Siri Nivasa Nayaka Thero.(ANI)