Addressing a special meeting held with relevant Ministers and the Members of Parliament as well as the representatives of the unions of the farmers at the District Secretariat in Polonnaruwa on Sunday, the President discussed the challenges the farming community faces.

The representatives of the unions drew President's attention to the issues they face with buying the paddy seeds and getting the fertilizer subsidy. They also presented their proposals and ideas on this regard.

President Sirisena pointing out the need to get together with all parties and seek solutions for such issues, said the officials should take proper decisions at the proper time.

"Nobody can get rid of the responsibility of the people's issues by pushing it to one institution," he said.

The President said that a special meeting on the issues on buying paddy seeds and getting fertilizer subsidy will be held in the future and promised to consider the ideas and proposals of the representatives of the unions of the farmers at that meeting.

Minister P. Harrison, Chief Minister of North-Central Province Peshala Jayaratne, Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Director of the National Fertilizer Secretariat, Director General of Agrarian Services and the Director General of Paddy Marketing Board also participated in this discussion.