Sri Lanka, March 26 -- A severe fertilizer shortage could jeopardize paddy cultivation during the upcoming Yala season, National Farmers' Union Chairman Anuradha Tennakoon warned.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Tennakoon said that although nearly 130,000 metric tons of fertilizer are required for paddy cultivation this season, only about 60,000 metric tons are currently available in the country.

He said water has already been released for the Yala season and stressed that the full requirement of fertilizer must be available in advance to ensure a successful harvest, even before considering the needs of other crops.

Tennakoon said that fertilizer is imported by five major companies in Sri Lanka, which together currently hold around 60,00...