Former President Maithripala Sirisena said if he was in power, famers in Sri Lanka would not have faced the current plight.

Sirisena made these remarks while speaking to a group of farmers in Balamoona who are on a hunger strike over the fertiliser issue.

The former President said although he discussed the fertiliser issue with the Argriculture Minister, there was no politive outcome.

Sirisena added that those who make decisions in this government have no understanding of the core issues faced by farmers.

The former President said if he was in power, he would have introduced organic farming in a phased manner.

"No country in the world has fullu converted into organic farming. Even in Australia, it only stands at 50%." Sirisena said.