A conference organized by the Frontline Socialist Party in Angunakolapelessa to discuss issues faced by farmers was abruptly halted after a group of National People’s Power (NPP) supporters protested against it.
The event, titled “The Poor and the Ungrateful in the Farm,” aimed to address challenges in the agricultural sector, but heated protests led to its suspension.
According to witnesses, the protesters claimed that such meetings would not be allowed anywhere in the district, forcing the organizers to flee the venue.
Among the protesters was Sunil Ratnayake, Hambantota District Organizer of the All Ceylon Farmers’ Conference, who defended the government’s paddy pricing policy.
“This government was brought to power by the farmers, and now they have received a fair guaranteed price for paddy. The Frontline Socialist Party is only trying to disrupt the government’s progress. We will not allow it,” he stated.
Wimal Wattuhewa, the convener of the conference, accused the JVP-led NPP of resorting to its usual violent tactics to suppress alternative views.
“The JVP does not understand the real problems in agriculture, which is dominated by multinational corporations and large-scale rice mill owners. They resort to intimidation instead of engaging in constructive dialogue,” he said.
With tensions high, the conference was canceled, highlighting the growing divide over paddy pricing and government policies in Sri Lanka’s farming sector.
