The government has paid nearly Rs. 5 billion in compensation to paddy farmers affected by Cyclone Ditwah while ensuring that rice prices remain stable for consumers, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne said.
Addressing a media briefing, the Deputy Minister said Rs. 4,983 million has so far been paid to 67,460 farmers whose paddy lands were damaged by the cyclone. He added that 148,464 farmers have submitted claims for crop losses covering about 71,110 hectares, and compensation payments are continuing. Last Friday, payments were made to 10,801 farmers who had cultivated additional crops.
Karunaratne noted that Rs. 3,381.4 million of the total compensation has been paid in cash for disaster-affected crops.
He also claimed that the government has, for the first time, eliminated the so-called “rice mafia,” preventing the usual seasonal increase in rice prices between October and January.
While indicating that prices of Kiri Samba and Nadu paddy may be adjusted to support farmers, the Deputy Minister assured that rice prices for consumers will not be increased.
