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The main views expressed during the discussion were regarding the extent of damage. The paddy cultivation target for the Maha season was 869,622 hectares. By November 28, that is, when the disaster struck, the cultivated area was 620,136 hectares. It was pointed out that the extent damaged due to the disaster was 106,293 hectares, and it has been identified that the land area that can be re-cultivated from this disaster situation is 95,000 hectares, which is 90% as a percentage. As of November 28, the area of ​​uncultivated land was 249,486 hectares. It was discussed that information has currently been received that 2,039 hectares of the uncultivated land extent have been damaged.

Discussions were held regarding seed paddy, and it was pointed out that both the Paddy Marketing Board and the farmers have the required amount of seed paddy, and that they can be used for re-cultivation.

The special program for directing farmers back to cultivation, including payments for crop damage and seed paddy supply, operates under the ‘Yaya 500’ program, and the manner of implementing it through the Department of Agrarian Development by involving Agricultural Research and Production Assistants was discussed.

The Minister emphasized that the farmer should receive everything that should be received, and that it should be implemented very quickly. The Minister further emphasized that the incentive allowance can be provided within the next few days and that preparations should be made to start paddy cultivation as soon as possible by preparing the paddy fields.

Mr. Namal Karunaratne, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Mr. Tushara Wickramarachchi, Director General of Agriculture, Mr. Dhammika Ranathunga, Commissioner General of Agrarian Development, and chief officers of institutions and departments related to the Department of Agriculture participated in this discussion.

This discussion was held at the In-service Training Institute at Gannoruwa.