President observes damage done to maize crops by fall armyworm caterpillars

President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa on Saturday visited Pahalagama, Elapattu in Anuradhapura and inspected the damage caused to maize plantations by the fall armyworm caterpillar.

Maize farmers have been severely affected by the destruction to the crops due to the army caterpillar menace for the past two years.

This year too, the caterpillars have damaged the maize crop in many districts and the expected yield has dropped by a high percentage, the farmers told the President.

Farmers also briefed the President on the threat posed by wild elephants to plantations.

The farmers commended the President for coming to the fields and looking into the difficulties they were facing.

The Chief Incumbent of the Mirisawetiya Viharaya Ven. Ethalawetunuwewe Gnanatilake Thero accompanied the President on this occasion.