Eight Arrested for Selling Donated Fertilizer in Sri Lanka

Eight individuals, including a coconut development officer, have been arrested for allegedly selling 348 bags of fertilizer that were intended for free distribution to farmers. The arrests were made by Divulapitiya police.

The fertilizer bags, each weighing 50 kilograms, were imported into the country with foreign aid and were meant to be distributed freely by the government. Police estimate the value of the stolen fertilizer to be around 27.84 million Sri Lankan Rupees.

The arrested individuals reside in the Galahitiyawa, Kurunegala, and Mirigama areas. Acting on a tip, Divulapitiya police raided the fertilizer packaging center located on Badalgama Road in Maradagahamula on July 9.

During the investigation at the center, the warehouse keeper was initially apprehended. Information obtained from him led to the subsequent arrest of the other suspects, including the coconut development officer accused of selling the fertilizer.