"There are nearly 400 to 500 deaths a year in the country from parquat poisoning. This number is believed to be higher than that of those affected by any other agro-chemical. The injestion of paraquat has around 65% mortality in Sri Lanka. No scientist in the world has so far found any antidote to minimise its adverse effects on the victims. The hospitals too cannot cope up with the high toxity of this deadly herbicide to reduce the mortality rate," stated J. M. Soorasena, the Project Manger of the Sweden Cooperative Centre of Tangalle, at the workshop held recently at the Embilipitiya International Training Centre for Rural leaders.

The workshop was held the day after the Anti-paraquat demonstration was held to mark the International Anti-pesticides day in the Embilipitiya town.

Soorasena said some multi-national companies producing agro-chemicals had started a white wash campaign through the electronic and print media to mislead the public, including the farmer community. They try to hoodwink the masses by side-lining the lethal nature of the highly toxic herbicide.

The anti-parquat demonstration on December 3 and the workshop on December 4 on the same theme had been planned and organised by the New Environmental Resource Alliance (New Era) of Godawaya, Ambalantota. It was funded by the Sweden Cooperative Centre of Tangalle.

President of the New Era Nalin Goonathilake was the facilitator of the workshop while among those present were Venerable Omalpe Sobhitha Thera of Embilipitiya Sri Bodhiraja Foundation, Sarath Fernando of Land and Agricultural Reform Campaign, Dr. Pathmalal Manage of Sri Jayawardanapura University, Dr. P. I. Yapa of Sabaragamuwa University and J. M. Soorasena, the Project manager of the Sweden Cooperative Centre of Tangalle.

New world trends in agriculture, environmental and health problems arising due to the use of pesticides, were the topics on which the resource persons enlightened the participants on the dangers involved in the use of pesticides.

The speakers at the workshop emphasized that it was crystal clear that the use of pesticides and herbicides in Sri Lanka had turned out to be a grave health hazard. According to the available statistics some 3,000 persons had died annually and over 80,000 had been affected adversely with various types of lifelong illnesses.

It is believed that paraquat is the most toxic herbicide marketed for the last six decades. Out of the pesticides used in the world, paraquat holds the third place according to the quantity used. It is used for the cultivation of about 50 crops in about 120 countries. Many countries have banned its use after realising the deadly qualities of this herbicide. Others have curtailed its use.

In Sri Lanka, the herbicide paraquat is sold under different brand names such as parrato and gramaxone.

Due to its lethal nature, the Department of Agriculture had decided to ban it in this country in 2007, but up to date the product appears in the open market and is freely available.

While the workshop was in progress a memorandum seeking to ban the use of parquat was signed to be presented to the Registrar of Pesticides at Peradeniya, who is not fulfilling the promise he made in November 2007 even before the end of this year.

Sanath Jayasekera, the coordinator of Agro Environmental Development project proposed the vote of thanks.