An Open Forum on Ago-Chemicals was held on July 7, 2011 at the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agriculture Research and Training Institute, Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 7 with the participation of over 200 people representing farmers, Trade unions, civil society organizations, academics and researches. This was organized by Vikalpanie Centre for Environmental Justice, Monlar, Sri Lanka Soba Samuhikaya, New Era, Swarnahansa Padanama, and the Buddhist Actions on Nature and other Civil Society organizations.
A team of researchers from the Kelaniya and Rajarata Universities found that high levels of Arsenic in number of pesticides. They claim that Chronic Kidney Disease found in Rajarata is due to Calcium Arsenate as a result of these pesticides. However, researchers in University of Peradeniya says that the kidney failure is due to high levels of Cadmium in Fertilizer.
