Floods cost ailing SL economy dearly

• Rs.31 billion urgently needed to restore agriculture, irrigation
• 510,000 hectares of paddy lands washed away

 By Kelum Bandara
In the wake of massive floods that ravaged one-third of the country, Sri Lanka is in need of Rs.31 billion as estimated by November 28, for restoration of agriculture,  irrigation tanks and canals damaged, according to a communication by the Foreign Ministry.
The Ministry, in the immediate aftermath of the flood damage, put out an appeal for international assistance.  For the restoration of paddy lands and vegetable crops destroyed by heavy rains, the government has sought Rs.15 billion.

Besides, Rs.4.8 billion has been sought for the rehabilitation of minor irrigation tanks, Rs.900 million for the repair of anicuts, Rs. 8.3 billion for minor irrigation systems and Rs. 1.8 billion for irrigation canals.
As many as 510,000 hectares of cultivated rice fields have been washed away by the floodwaters. The government has asked for fertiliser - 112,000 metric tons of Urea, 30,000 metric tons of MOP and 30,000 metric tons of TOP-  from international donors to re-cultivate them. After the appeal was made, further damage was done to the irrigation system with the breach of the Mavil Aru dam wall in the Eastern Province being the latest.