The Sri Lankan government has released Rs. 3 billion in emergency compensation for farmers affected by drought conditions linked to El Niño, with around 7,000 farmers across five districts having sustained crop damage.
The Government has announced an emergency relief programme providing Rs. 3 billion in immediate insurance compensation to farmers facing significant crop losses due to prolonged dry weather conditions. The drought, attributed to the El Niño phenomenon, has affected agricultural production across five major districts: Monaragala, Polonnaruwa, Hambantota, Anuradhapura, and Ampara.
Based on current assessments, approximately 7,000 farmers have reported damage affecting roughly 8,000 acres of farmland. Paddy cultivation has been particularly impacted, with damage reported across 1,923 acres in Anuradhapura, 1,401 acres in Monaragala, 1,259 acres in Polonnaruwa, 1,055 acres in Ampara, and 783 acres in Hambantota. Beyond paddy, maize and other crops have also sustained losses in the affected regions.
Under the relief scheme, farmers cultivating paddy, maize, big onion, potato, soybean, or chilli are eligible to receive compensation at Rs. 100,000 per hectare, with coverage limited to a maximum of five acres per farmer. The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation has directed an acceleration of damage assessment procedures to expedite compensation delivery. Field teams comprising officers from the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board and Agriculture Research and Production Assistants are conducting on-site inspections to verify crop damage.
Farmers who have not yet formally reported damage are being urged to register details immediately at their local Agrarian Development Centres or contact nearby field officers. Those requiring further assistance can reach the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board via the short code 1918.
