Sri Lanka, May 13 -- The current government came to power promising to crown the farming community, yet it dragged their lives down completely, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa stated.

Sajith Premadasa made these remarks while addressing a farmers' meeting held in the Iginimitiya area of Nawagattegama, Anamaduwa, today.

When issues regarding seed paddy shortages and fertiliser problems faced by farmers island-wide are raised in Parliament, the subject minister misleads the public by claiming such issues do not exist, Sajith Premadasa said.

He alleged that while farmers spend between Rs.130 - Rs.135 to produce a kilogramme of paddy, the Agriculture Minister claims the cost is only Rs.90 - Rs.95 , showing a lack of understanding of the...