Hundreds of sugarcane farmers and tractor drivers staged a protest in Sevanagala, accusing the government of failing to purchase their harvest properly and withholding long-overdue payments.
The protest, held in Monaragala District, was marked by growing frustration over broken promises and unfair treatment under the current NPP administration.
Demonstrators alleged that while the ruling party had once demanded Rs. 15,000 per tonne of sugarcane when in opposition, it is now seeking to reduce that rate to Rs. 10,000.
The farmers, who supply sugarcane to the Sevanagala Sugar Factory, said the government’s failure to secure fair prices and settle dues is threatening their livelihoods.
Many claim they have not received payments for previous deliveries and cannot afford to continue cultivation under the current pricing structure.
In a direct challenge to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the protestors issued an ultimatum, warning that if their grievances are not addressed, they will launch a prolonged protest movement dubbed “Anuragogama” — a reference to the high-profile protest village that previously led to the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
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