By an Anonymous Contributor

For decades, Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector has teetered on the edge of uncertainty, shackled by inconsistent policies and a lack of decisive action. Recognizing the urgent need for reform, agriculture professionals and university academics, with significant financial support from international contributors, undertook the monumental task of drafting two transformative documents: the Overarching Agriculture Policy and the National Agriculture Policy. These blueprints were meticulously designed to tackle critical issues such as food security, climate resilience, sustainability, and farmer welfare.

Yet, despite the monumental effort and expertise poured into this initiative, successive governments have failed to fulfil their national duty. The final step—securing Cabinet approval—remains inexplicably stalled. This inaction has plunged Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector into a state of policy paralysis, squandering not only the hard work of experts but also vast amounts of international funding, which represents the hard-earned money of foreign taxpayers entrusted to support Sri Lanka’s agricultural future.

The Ethical Responsibility of Policy Contributors

This glaring failure raises a pressing question: What is the ethical obligation of those who contributed to these policies? Agriculture experts, academics, and policymakers who dedicated their time and knowledge cannot afford to remain passive observers as their work gathers dust.

These stakeholders must now demand accountability from the newly elected government. Their insights were sought, their expertise was utilized, and their recommendations were compiled—yet the policies they shaped remain in limbo. Is it not their moral duty to ensure that their efforts bear fruit?

A Government’s Broken Promise

Before assuming power, the current government proudly proclaimed that it had assembled an expert panel to draft a ready-to-implement agriculture policy. They promised a clear, actionable plan that would be set in motion immediately upon taking office.

Now, with a commanding majority in Parliament, the government has no excuse for its inaction. Months have passed, and not a single official has stepped forward with a concrete agriculture policy or strategy. Farmers, stakeholders, and the public are left in the dark, questioning whether these pre-election promises were genuine or mere political theater.

A Call to Action for the New Government

With a new administration in place, the time to rectify past failures is now. Agriculture is the backbone of Sri Lanka’s economy, and without a robust policy framework, the nation remains vulnerable to food crises, economic instability, and environmental degradation. The government must act decisively by:

• Immediate Review and Approval: Expedite the presentation of the drafted policies to the Cabinet for swift endorsement.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with farmers, experts, and other key stakeholders to ensure the policies address current challenges and realities.
• Legislative Safeguards: Institutionalize these policies into law to protect them from future political disruptions and ensure long-term agricultural development.
• Transparent Communication: Publicly outline a clear strategy and timeline for policy implementation, fostering trust and accountability.

This is not merely a bureaucratic formality—it is a moral and national imperative. Sri Lanka’s farmers and rural communities deserve a stable, government-approved agriculture policy to secure their livelihoods and the nation’s food security.

Conclusion

Sri Lanka cannot afford another cycle of political delays and policy stagnation. The agriculture sector’s future must not be sacrificed at the altar of bureaucratic inertia. It is time for those who shaped these policies—experts, academics, and civil society—to hold the government accountable and ensure these long-awaited policies are finalized and implemented.

The people of Sri Lanka demand action, not excuses. The time to act is now.