The Task Force comprised with the Minister of Agriculture, State Minister and the Chairmen of the main institutions related to the ministry, has appointed an separate official for each province to coordinate the programs of this Task Force with the regional authorities.

The Task Force met on Monday (23rd May) has taken decisions to entirely reconstruct the damaged reservoirs and to restore the cultivation of 25,880 acres paddy fields, which are possible to begin the cultivation again.

According to the Minister of Agriculture Duminda Dissanayake, the purpose of restoring the cultivation is preventing the shortages of the food production. He said, “preventing the production shortage is important than giving compensation to the farmers.”

The Task Force will also take steps to provide free seed-paddy to the farmers and to assist the other minor cultivations damaged by the floods.

Considering the current situations, the Task Force will also take necessary steps to regulate the flow-paths of the reservoirs, provide suitable shelters for people, who usually suffer from floods and to introduce suitable crops for cultivation.

The farmers will be able to obtain compensations up to Rs.10, 000 per acre for the destroyed cultivation through the farmers’ insurance, assured minister Dissanayake.