News

Over 338,000 acres of paddy fields destroyed

Published

5 months ago

November 30, 2024

editor

Agrarian Development Commissioner General Rohana Rajapaksha said that 338,446 acres of paddy fields have been destroyed due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions. He also said that 137,880 farmers have been affected by this destruction.

The highest losses are reported from the Northern and North Central Provinces. It is not yet possible to obtain certain information about crop damage since the paddy fields in Jaffna, Ampara, Polonnaruwa and Batticaloa districts have still been completely submerged,” he said.

The Commissioner General further said that the relevant officers have been hindered from going to their Agrarian Development centers and starting their duties due to the flooding in some areas.

The information collected from the area where flood water has receeded has revealed that the 101,035 acres of paddy fields belonging to 46,674 farmers has been destroyed.

The amount of paddy fields that are still submerged is 237,481 acres.The number of farmers who have suffered crop damage is 91,206. Paddy cultivation of 23,930 acres in Vavuniya, 23,247 acres in Mannar, 20,865 acres in Trincomalee have been destroyed so far.

Similarly, vegetable cultivation has also been destroyed in the upcountry and many vegetable cultivations including potatoes and cabbage have been completely destroyed in the Nuwara Eliya,” he said.

(dailynews.lk)

(This story, originally published by News1st has not been edited by dailynews.lk staff)

News

Special security measures implemented for Easter

Published

6 hours ago

April 17, 2025

editor

Sri Lanka Police Headquarters has announced that steps have been taken to implement a special security program in view of the upcoming Easter celebrations.

As Easter services are scheduled to be held on April 18 and April 20, 2025, special police security will be deployed to ensure the safety of devotees on those dates.

Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya has issued instructions to all Senior Deputy Inspectors General of Police (Senior DIGs) in charge of all provinces, Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs), and Officers-in-Charge (OICs) in this regard.

Accordingly, the Acting IGP has further instructed officers to identify churches expected to attract large crowds as well churches where major religious services are held, to ensure security in and around those locations.

The Police, Special Task Force (STF), and tri-forces personnel are to be deployed to ensure security during the Easter celebrations.

News

Hot weather to continue

Published

6 hours ago

April 17, 2025

editor

A warm weather advisory has been issued for residents of the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Southern and Eastern provinces and in Rathnapura and Monaragala districts.

The heat index – the temperature felt by the human body — is expected to rise to the ‘Caution Level’ in several areas tomorrow (April 18), according to the Department of Meteorology.

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News

5 including a police officer, arrested with Rs. 30 Mn.

Published

6 hours ago

April 17, 2025

editor

Sri Lanka Police has arrested five individuals, including a constable from the Western Province Intelligence Division, in Dondra Head.

The arrests were made early this morning, and the suspects were found in possession of approximately Rs. 30 million.

According to the police, the Special Task Force (STF) acted on a tip-off and conducted a search of a vehicle, leading to the arrests.

The five individuals, including the police constable, were taken into custody by the STF.

Investigations are currently being conducted under the supervision of the Police Narcotics Bureau to determine the source and intended use of the large sum of money.

(News1st)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by News1st has not been edited by SLM staff)