15 February 2023 09:23 am Views - 740
Over Rs. 30 million has been paid yesterday as compensation for livestock that perished in many areas of the Northern and Eastern Provinces due to chilly weather conditions following 'Cyclone Mandous' which swept across these provinces during the first week of December 2022.
Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera advised the ministry officials that compensation should be paid to the affected farmers for the loss of these domestic animals.
Accordingly, steps have been taken to disburse a sum of Rs.30.44 million as compensation for the perished livestock.
The relevant cheques were handed over by the Minister to the Livestock Division Additional Secretary, Dr. L. W. N. Samaranayake.
The compensation for the dead animals would be paid by the Northern and Eastern Province Agriculture Directors.
Rs. 18.53 million have been allocated to the Northern Province, while Rs. 11.9 million to the Eastern Province.
514 cows, 630 calves, 305 goats, and 144 kids perished in the Northern Province due to the cold weather.
Also, 423 cows, 299 calves, 65 goats, and 45 kids died in the Eastern Province.
Rs.20,000 for a cow, Rs. 10,000, for a calf, Rs. 5,000 for a goat, and Rs. 3,000 for a kid will be paid as compensation. (Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama)