Sajith calls for agriculture to be recognised as a fundamental right

10-Jul-2026

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Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for agriculture to be recognised as a fundamental right, accusing successive governments of neglecting farmers after securing their votes during elections.

Speaking at a meeting with farmer representatives at the Opposition Leader's Office, Premadasa said farmers are valued only during election campaigns but ignored thereafter. He stressed the need to modernise agriculture by integrating new technologies while protecting traditional farming practices.

He called for affordable fertiliser, quality seeds, fair intervention in the agricultural supply chain and a guaranteed price that reflects production costs. Premadasa also emphasised the need to expand irrigation infrastructure, improve water management and support the development of "smart farmers" through technology-driven agricultural reforms.