Sri Lanka: Phosphate mines vs. the environment

…With the energy crisis in the world, prices of phosphorus fertilisers are steadily increasing over the years resulting in increase in the cost of cultivation adding burdens to farmers and the Government.

Being self sufficient in phosphate fertiliser is the only lasting solution for this. As a country we are lagging behind the others because of our inability to deviate from the colonial mentality.


We have been in a slumber for the 30 long years like a beggar sitting on a gold mine since its discovery. Though every country that is gifted with a phosphate deposit is producing phosphate fertiliser for their staple food, but we still depend on imported phosphate fertiliser by wasting valuable foreign exchange for it.

Sri Lanka has now reached an era in which it moves to progress by utilising its natural resources for the betterment of the country.

Daily News