With the introduction of the open economy in Sri Lanka in 1977, imports of many items, services, tools and agricultural produce took place. About 10 years later not only agricultural produce, but seeds and many such items were imported and these were done by both government and private companies.

As the possibility of reaping better harvests existed with imported vegetable and fruit seeds, Sri Lankan farmers became inclined to it. However, to obtain a better harvest using these imported varieties of seeds, more fertilizers and chemicals are necessary. But when the farmers use fertilizers they don’t always reap the expected harvest.

If they reap this harvest, the produce entering the market causes an excessive supply and the prices tend to decline, thereby reducing the profits of the farmers. The reason for all this is the ignorance of the farmers with regard to the existing situation.

The traditional form of agriculture in Sri Lanka is under threat due to the importing of seeds with altered genetic make-up and also due to the use of various chemical fertilizers. Although, it has been recorded that 567 varieties of paddy were cultivated in 1920, the dwindling of these cultivations began with the use of imported chemical fertilizers in place of compost and carbonic fertilizer which was used earlier.

Due to imported varieties of vegetables and fruit seeds, the traditional varieties of Sri Lankan fruits and vegetables are becoming extinct. The imported varieties of papaw seeds such as “Red Lady” “Sisra” and “Purple Voy” have led to the disappearance of the Sri Lankan varieties.

The vulnerability of contacting viruses and diseases is more in areas such as Suriyawewa, Tissamaharama, Thanamalwila, Wellawaya, Anuradhapura and Bakamuna, where papaw is cultivated in plenty.

The deficiency of seeds where the genes have been altered is prominent here, and if the farmer is to counteract this, he should use expensive chemical manures, which increase his expenses.

At times, this occurs due to the internal connections of multi-national companies who import these seeds of changed genes, chemical fertilizers and weedicides. They themselves produce chemical fertilizers and weedicides necessary to counteract the viruses that could affect these plants borne from seeds of changed genes.

 Seeds of changed genes of pumpkin, cucumber, tomatoes and sweet melon have replaced traditional seeds.

Due to experiments conducted by the Agriculture Research Institute of Maha Iluppallama, the cultivation of Soya as a secondary crop began in the dry zone. However, due to news spreading through society that this produce was the outcome of changed genes, and that it could be detrimental to health, the Soya farmer was placed in dire straits; very especially because “Triposha” which is given to pregnant mothers was a Soya product.

However, Health Authorities state that health conditions could be affected only from Soya seeds that contain altered genes and not from the produce harvested off local seeds. Yet, due to there being no facilities available for either the farmer or the consumer to distinguish the difference of the seeds, people are hesitant to buy Soya products, and by this the local farmer is harmed.

By now, the demand for traditional local fruits is falling due to the import of apples, pears, and grapes etc., which are fruits that contain altered genes, due to the taste, food values, colours and outlook of the imported varieties being more.

In the eighties, the food crops which had altered genes spread fast throughout Sri Lanka and due to this, a prohibition order under Gazette Notification 1178/18 of April 6, 2001 prohibited these mixed varieties of food. Thereby 23 varieties of food items under 7 categories were prohibited. Soya beans, seeds, soya flour, soya milk, soya sauce, soya cubes, corn flour, corn, food mixtures, produce containing corn, fresh tomatoes, smashed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato spreads, food items affiliated to tomatoes, cheese, potatoes, beet sugar and baking and alcoholic yeast.

Further, it has been disclosed that there are 64 varieties of produce with changed genes in the market.

By law importers of genetic food items must seek an approval license from the Food Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Health in keeping with the Food Ordinance No: 26 of 1980. People who do not submit to or defraud this condition could be subjected to six months imprisonment or a Rs. 10,000 fine would have to be paid or both together.

Agriculture seeds of changed genes are imported to the country in large quantities through private organizations and there is no existing method in this country to ascertain as to the quantity or whether they are really seeds of mixed genes. This is damaging to the traditional crops and produce of Sri Lanka as well as health.