Interesting. I vaguely remember the ban on chemical fertiliser but wasn't aware of currency shortage as a cause. I did a bit of research as well, and some Sri L

Interesting. I vaguely remember the ban on chemical fertiliser but wasn't aware of currency shortage as a cause. I did a bit of research as well, and some Sri Lankan are apparently laying blame at the feet of Vandana Shiva, a government advisor and environmental activist with a strong anti-GMO stance: https://navdanyainternational.org/sri-lankas-shift-towards-organic-farming/ https://navdanyainternational.org/sri-lankas-shift-towards-o... > On April 27, 2021, the Sri Lankan government decided to ban importing chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides and to replace them with organic inputs and methods. This decision was supported by many, including the Global Alliance for Organic Districts, who petitioned for the President’s collaboration in order to include Sri Lanka to an international network of local organic districts. Sri Lanka’s shift towards organic farming was also heavily discussed by both local and foreign researchers and activists. On the 7th and 9th of June, Dr. Vandana Shiva, President of Navdanya International, took part in two online workshops on the Sri Lankan government’s project to go towards organic agriculture and ban agrochemicals. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vandana_Shiva https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vandana_Shiva >Shiva serves on Government of India Committees on Organic Farming. She participated in the Stock Exchange of Visions project in 2007.[22] >In 2021, she advised the government of Sri Lanka to ban inorganic fertilizers and pesticides[23][24] stating "This decision will definitely help farmers become more prosperous. Use of organic fertilizer will help provide agri products rich with nutrients while retaining the fertility of the land."[25] The policy caused a crisis with a significant reduction of farming output in several sectors, hitting the tea industry in particular[26][27][28] and reducing rice yields were by one third.[25] The ban was overturned seven months later.[24] Not exactly "Western green elites" but it may be that a strand of pseudoscientific environmentalism played a part.