By Ifham Nizam
Prof. Buddhi Marambe, prior to leaving for the UK, last night, told The Island that upon his return on 11 November, he would discuss his stance on the fertiliser controversy and his abrupt removal.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera and Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe would be leaving for the UK, on Saturday, to attend the same event. Prof. Marambe has been involved with the World Biodiversity Summit/climate change confab for nearly a decade and his attendance there is a routine affair.
A senior government official said yesterday that most probably President Rajapaksa would have a discussion with Prof. Marambe in the UK.
Responding to queries, Prof. Marambe, laughingly said that he had never been an employee of an institution under the Ministry of Agriculture, although he had served on technical committees that were now defunct.
Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage on Tuesday removed the professor from all positions in the Ministry.
However, Prof. Marambe, an authority on agricultural policies, said he had been invited by the Ministry to serve as a member of committee to formulate a national fertiliser policy.
“The Committee’s term ended last month. There is no reason for anyone to remove me from it,” he said smilingly.
He also said that he was yet to receive a written notification informing him of the move to remove him as a committee member.
Island.lk
, Local, ,