Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has agreed to expedite the provision of fertilizer for the Yala season, President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said.
The fertilizer is being supplied with Indian loan assistance and is scheduled to be distributed within 20 days of receiving it in Sri Lanka.
The President made this observation at a discussion held at the President’s House, Fort this afternoon (01) on the challenges facing the irrigation sector and their solutions.
It was revealed at the discussion that the Uma Oya and Moragahakanda projects could be completed before the end of this year and provide benefits for the Maha season. The Morana, Mahagalgamuwa Poshitha Ela, Mahagona Wewa, Vilakandiya Wewa, and Godigamuwa Wewa projects are to be completed concurrently.
The President instructed that steps be taken to complete the foreign-funded projects within the stipulated time.
Special attention was paid to the cultivation activities during the Yala season and 50% of the irrigated lands under the Irrigation Department and the Mahaweli Authority have already been cultivated.
Irrigation Minister Roshan Ranasinghe said that 250,000 Mahaweli home gardens have been planned for the cultivation of additional crops and lands that have not been cultivated so far have been diverted to cultivate other crops.
Chief of Staff to the President Anura Dissanayake, Secretary to the Ministry Mr. U. D. C. Jayalal, and other officials of the linear agencies of the Ministry were also present at the discussion.
