Sri Lanka to produce phosphate fertiliser from Eppawala

(UTV|COLOMBO) – Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera states that steps will be taken to produce Singlet Phosphate fertilizer using the Eppawala Phosphate deposit.

Addressing a function held at the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute in Colombo Minister Amaraweera said the program will be launched in a short time.

Minister Amaraweera speaking at the meeting pointed out that although the best phosphate deposit in the world is in Sri Lanka, the government spends Rs. 47 billion annually to import phosphate fertilizer from other countries. In addition Rs. 33 billion is being spent as fertilizer subsidy. “If production of phosphate fertilizer from the Eppawala deposit commenced we can save Rs. 7 billion in the country,” the Minister noted.

“If the previous government had invested Rs. 900 million to produce Single Phosphate fertilizer using the phosphate deposit, by now we would have been able to produce the fertilizer needed in our country,” Minister Amaraweera said. “However, under the present Government, we will begin production of Single Phosphate fertilizer shortly with the full blessings of the President,” he said.

[alert color=”faebcc” icon=”fa-commenting”]Keeping up to date with breaking news while you are on the move is now simple with UTV Alerts [textmarker color=”8a6d3b”]Type REG UTV and send to 77000[/textmarker] on your Dialog or Hutch mobile connection[/alert]

 

Related posts

Ilma’s first ever career guidance fair held

IMF arrives in Sri Lanka for discussions

USD sold at Rs. 260