State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera slammed the government over the fertilizer issue saying the fertilizer, which has been imported by the government, also had chemical components.

"Only one person in the world says they are organic fertilser," Jayasekera said hitting out at Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage.

"I knew from the very beginning that the fertilizer issue was going to be a disaster. Now, we are facing the repercussions of these decisisons. Farmers across the country are in dire straits without fertlizer for their cultivations," Jayasekera added, speaking at a state cremony.

"It costs USD 400 a ton. At that time a ton of urea was brought for USD 225. If urea had been imported at that time this would not have happened today. Farmers are of the opinion that it is better to apply chemical fertilizers and organic fertilizers at the rate of 50% each. If there is no fertilizer for another 15 days now, a considerable amount of farmland will be abandoned," he expained.

Jayasekera said a considerable amount of rice would have to be imported due to the shortage of rice in the country. "This is a vicious cycle and it all started due to the short-sighted decision on fertiliser," he said.

"A government should not act in a lunatic when they have power. They should be able to listen to the people's voice," Jayasekera said.