Decisive discussion on the cultivation plan and irrigation water distribution for the 2026 Maha and 2027 Yala seasons held in Gannoruwa
The final and decisive discussion regarding the distribution of water in the major irrigation systems, in line with the cultivation plan for the 2026 Maha and 2027 Yala seasons, was held on the 18th at the Gannoruwa Information Technology Institute. The main objective of this meeting was to take the necessary precautionary measures to obtain a successful harvest while minimizing the adverse effects that could arise from the El Nino weather condition.
Representing the political authority at this special discussion, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Mr. K.D. Lal Kantha, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Mr. Namal Karunaratne, Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation Mr. Aravinda Senarath and Deputy Minister of Housing and Water Supply Mr. T.B. Sarath participated.
In addition, a large number of government officials including ministry secretaries, directors and zonal managers representing the relevant zones were present, representing institutions such as the Department of Agriculture, Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka, Mahaweli Water Management Centre, Department of Irrigation, Department of Meteorology, Fertilizer Secretariat and the Department of Agrarian Development.
Farmer organization representatives and farmer leaders who attended, representing all zones of the island, also actively contributed to this discussion and full agreement was reached here regarding the strict implementation of the water release schedule and the cultivation plan.
Farmer leaders stated on this occasion that they were fully prepared to organize cultivation activities in accordance with the guidelines and technical methods recommended by the Department of Agriculture, in order to successfully face the water-related challenges that could arise due to the El Nino condition.
The ministers, on this occasion, expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the farmer leaders for the flexibility and readiness shown by the farming community in reaching agreement with the state mechanism to make the cultivation plan successful, even in the face of adverse weather conditions such as El Nino.
