Rebuilding farmlands that were extensively damaged by recent flooding has become a major challenge for farmers across several regions, according to Sri Lanka Latest News.
A few weeks ago, the Ambanganga River overflowed its banks, causing widespread destruction to agricultural lands. As a result, more than a thousand acres of paddy fields in the Diggalpitiya, Angammedilla, Kalagala, Parakrama Samudra, and South Bank areas were inundated and destroyed.
Affected farmers state that, so far, no responsible authority has visited the damaged farmlands to assess the situation.
Sharing their concerns with the media, farmers said:
“Thousands of acres have been continuously washed away by this flood. There is so much sand deposited from the Mahaweli River that it cannot be removed by hand. However, no one has come to inspect the situation.”
Meanwhile, paddy cultivation in the Eastern Province has also been severely affected by heavy rainfall. According to reports by Ada Derana, approximately 1,888 acres of paddy fields in the Dehiattakandiya Divisional Secretariat Division of Ampara District have been damaged by the disaster.
Farmers in the area explained that the paddy lands have been broken apart, dug up, and filled with sand to such an extent that cultivation has become impossible.
“We respectfully request the government to provide vehicles to collect and remove the sand to one location so that these lands can be restored and cultivated again,” they said.
In addition, the Murapola Mahavari irrigation project— which supports the livelihoods of a large number of residents in the Pathahewaheta Divisional Secretariat Division of the Kandy District— has also been destroyed.
Farmers noted that the complete destruction of this irrigation project has created a severe crisis, as it previously ensured successful cultivation during both the Yala and Maha seasons across 13 farming communities.
