Sri Lanka Needs an Overarching Agricultural Policy – Dr Manoj Thibbotuwawa

27 October 2021

IPS Research Fellow and Head of Agricultural Policy Research, Dr Manoj Thibbotuwawa, highlighted the importance of having an Overarching Agricultural Policy (OAP) for Sri Lanka to harmonise policies and achieve synergies in all sub-sectors and key institutions in the ‘Triple A economy’ (Agriculture, Aquaculture and Animal husbandry). Dr Thibbotuwawa was speaking at a workshop organised by the Technical Assistance to Modernisation of Agriculture Programme (TAMAP) of the European Union (EU) at Waters Edge, Battaramulla.

OAP was developed by the Government of Sri Lanka under the guidance of the National Planning Department and the Ministry of Agriculture with support from the EU through the TAMAP. The purpose of the workshop was to present the final draft of the OAP to the relevant government representatives.

Hon Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Minister of Agriculture; Hon Ramesh Pathirana, Minister of Plantation, and Hon Kanchana Wijesekera, State Minister of Fisheries were among the distinguished participants. Prof Udith Jayasinghe Mudalige, Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, inaugurated the workshop and Ambassador Denis Chaibi, Head of Delegation, European Union delivered the closing remarks.

Dr Nihal Atapattu, Team Leader and Agriculture Policy Expert, TAMAP moderated the discussion. Participants from ministries, state ministries and line agencies covering crops, animal husbandry, fisheries and aquaculture, plantation, irrigation, land, and environment contributed to the discussion with their views, suggestions, and recommendations on the way forward.

Download Dr Manoj Thibbotuwawa’s Presentation HERE.