Urgent relief for drought-stricken people

Saturday, 7 July 2012 00:13 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Government has decided to provide relief to people living in the Districts of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa in the North Central Province and in other districts affected by the recent drought.

Some of the urgent measures that have been taken are dredging of major irrigation reservoirs in order to increase the water retention capacities, renovation of canal systems, agricultural wells, provision of water pumps to locations where necessary, provision of seed paddy free of charge to affected farmers for the next cultivation season and engaging members of affected families between the ages of 18 and 60 in renovation work, making cash payments for work done.

The Government has also decided to appoint an Officials’ Committee consisting of the Secretaries of the Ministries of Irrigation and Water Resources Management, Economic Development, Agriculture, Agrarian Services and Wildlife and Disaster Management to oversee the expeditious implementation of these relief measures.