Dr. Sarath Weerasena

Dr. Sarath Weerasena, Director General of Department of Agriculture said that of 25 districts only two districts - Anuradhapura and Kurunegala were severely affected."The paddy cultivation in Hambantota, which was affected by the drought last time, is much better than expected", he said.

Weerasena pointed out that rice production had gone down by 10 percent but claimed that there would not be a shortage of rice due to the prevailing drought because the country had a rice surplus from last year."Other crops and chena cultivation in the Anuradhapura district have been affected and drought relief has been distributed among the farmers", he said adding that the department's prime concern was to supply quality seed paddy for the forthcoming yala season."

We have enough seed paddy and plans for the 2004/2005 maha season are also being finalised.Due to severe water shortage the farmers did not get the last water issue in February", he said.