Presidential Task Force for a green socio-economy

Engagement of the Federation in Sri Lanka

In May this year, Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa appointed a Presidential Task Force for the “Creation of a Green Socio-economy with Sustainable Solutions for Climate Changes”. The Task Force, chaired by Basil Rajapaksa, the Special Representative of the President, consists of 46 members including Cabinet Ministers, State Ministers and members of the Parliament. Their role will be to achieve a number of eco-friendly objectives.

Transition to organic farming

One of the main objectives of the Task Force is to prepare a roadmap for the transition from chemical farming to organic farming by using organic fertilizers instead of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. At present, a large amount of state funds are spent on the health and environmental damage caused by chemical fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides.

Environmental goals

The Presidential Task Force will also have to work on other objectives including minimising plastic use, preventing the cultivation of palm oil, and the construction of more eco-friendly houses and buildings. The President directed the Task Force to coordinate with the Task Force on Economic Revival and Poverty Eradication and the Task Force for Rural Development.

To embrace this positive move, the Federation addressed a letter of support to the President of Sri Lanka stressing the importance of organic and biodynamic farming in increasing the resilience of farming, and supporting both human and environmental health. Several press articles already mention the response of the Federation to the creation of the Presidential Task Force.

Contact: Clara Behr, Head of Policy and Public relations
clara.behr@demeter.net

Brussels, 17.06.2021

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