* Marxist party accuses Sri Lankan government of sacrificing the agriculture sector to promote tourism

Sept 01, Colombo: Sri Lanka's Marxist party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) says the government is now sacrificing the agricultural sector, especially paddy cultivation, in order to promote tourism.

JVP parliamentarian and head of the All Ceylon Farmers' Association, Anura Kumara Dissanayake says that the government's move to promote tourism in certain parts of the country has had an adverse impact on paddy cultivation.

He pointed out that the government has planned to use tanks in the North Central Province that irrigate thousands of acres of paddy land for tourism promotional activities.

He said the government has called for expressions of interest from investors to commence boat rides in 22 tanks in the country including Tissa Wewa, Kala Wewa, Kantale Wewa and Handapangala Wewa.

He added that another project has been launched to commence sea plane project surrounding 17 tanks that also include the Parakrama Samudraya in Polonnaruwa.

"These tanks are key tanks that irrigate thousands of acres of paddy land in the country. Authorities would have to maintain a certain level of water in the tanks at all times in order to facilitate these projects," Dissanayake said.

According to him, these moves would result in a drop in the water released to farmers for paddy cultivation.

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