Relief for Northern farmers affected by Cyclone Amphan

• May cyclone caused severe damage to crops of over 2,300 farmers in North
• Jaffna DS estimates total loss Rs. 53 m

Cabinet has approved a proposal to provide relief to over 2,300 farmers in the Northern Province who suffered severe losses due to Cyclone Amphan, which hit the island, causing heavy rains and winds for four days from 16 to 19 May.

The cyclone caused severe damage to banana and papaya plantations of 2,374 farmers in the Kopay, Thellipalai and Karavetti Divisional Secretariats (DS) in Jaffna District.

According to the Jaffna District Secretary, the total estimated loss was Rs. 52.9 million.

In keeping with a proposal by Minister of Fisheries Douglas Devananda, Cabinet approved the proposals to coordinate with the Ministry of Disaster Management, Ministry of Agriculture, and the Jaffna District Secretariat, and also provide an allocation of Rs. 52.98 million through the Disaster Management Ministry.