Government Allocates Rs. 3 Billion for Farmers Hit by El Niño Drought

The Sri Lankan government has allocated Rs. 3 billion to provide immediate insurance compensation to farmers affected by severe dry weather conditions. This measure addresses significant crop damage attributed to the prevailing El Niño phenomenon across several key agricultural districts. Reports indicate that approximately 8,000 acres of farmland belonging to nearly 7,000 farmers have been impacted, primarily affecting paddy and maize crops. The affected districts include Monaragala, Polonnaruwa, Hambantota, Anuradhapura, and Ampara, with the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board overseeing the compensation process.