News
Police crackdown on “fuel hoarding” hits North and East farmers ahead of Yala season
View(s):- Following discussions after several arrests, authorities assure farmers of 30 litres of diesel per acre
By S. Rubatheesan
Northern and Eastern farmers who are preparing for the upcoming Yala harvesting season are worried about the police crackdown on fuel hoarding.
A farmer in Murasumottai, Kilinochchi, was arrested for transporting 400 litres of diesel, in 20 cans, intended for his tractor. He was released on bail after being produced in courts on Thursday.
Two large-scale farmers from Uriyaan, Kilinochchi, who cultivate over ten acres of land, were also taken into custody along with their fuel stocks but later released on bail. They were charged under the provisions of the Petroleum Products (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Act, No. 34 of 1979.
The recent arrests of farmers who stock fuel to till their lands for the upcoming cultivation is raising concern among the farming communities of the North and East.
In Ampara in the East too farmers have begun cultivation.
“ It is unacceptable that farmers are being targeted under the charges of ‘ hoarding fuel’ since we used to keep adequate stocks before and after cultivation to prepare the land ahead of the upcoming season. It is for our own use. Nowadays, we are being treated as individuals engaged in illegal racketeering,” said a farmer who cultivates his own twelve acres of paddyland in Kilinochchi, after being taken into custody with a barrel of 120 litres of diesel. He had stocked the fuel to till and plough his land ahead of starting cultivation next week.
This week alone police raided dozens of residences, including those of farmers and seized hundreds of litres of fuel under the charges of hoarding fuel.
Muththu Sivamohan, Secretary of the Iranaimadhu Farmers Federation told the Sunday Times that the government should come up with a different mechanism to ensure farmers are able to acquire adequate fuel ahead of their cultivation activities.
In the North cultivation for the Yala season has been scheduled from March 25 to April 28, following a collective decision taken by relevant stakeholders.
The issue of fuel was raised at the district-level Agrarian Committee meeting on Thursday in Kilinochchi and it was decided to introduce a system for farmers to access fuel through a special quota system.
Accordingly, farmers can purchase 30 litres of diesel per acre following the confirmation given by the respective authorities. Farmers are instructed to keep the receipts for purchasing fuel along with other relevant documents as well.
Agriculture Ministry assures farmers of adequate fertiliser stocks in warehouses
Despite concerns of a fertiliser shortage ahead of the Yala cultivation, the Agriculture Ministry has announced it has adequate stocks in its warehouses and they will be distributed through district-level service centres to the farmers.
According to the circular issued by Commissioner General of Agrarian Development Dhammika Ranatunga on March 20, regional agrarian centres have been instructed to distribute fertiliser to farmers through the respective farmers’ federation.
On the question of fuel requirement 30 litres of diesel can be obtained for land preparation for the upcoming Yala cultivation and 15 litres can be distributed for 2025/2026 Maha season,
The price of fertiliser has already increased and is expected to surge further due to the ongoing West Asian conflict.
The best way to say that you found the home of your dreams is by finding it on Hitad.lk. We have listings for apartments for sale or rent in Sri Lanka, no matter what locale you're looking for! Whether you live in Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Matara, Jaffna and more - we've got them all!