Sri Lanka, May 12 -- The private sector will now receive permission to distribute urea fertiliser, according to Agriculture Department Director General Thushara Wickramaarachchi. The official stated that current fertiliser issues should reach a resolution within the week and cautioned against spreading false claims of shortages, as farmers remain highly sensitive to such reports. Sufficient stocks exist within the country, and a procurement programme for the upcoming Maha season is already in place.

Despite these assurances, farmers report that allocations remain unavailable even after payments were made. In Dehiattakandiya, agricultural communities face significant challenges due to the distribution of low-quality fertiliser through Agr...