An additional season of cultivation other than Yala and Maha considered

• Announcement made at the Aluth Sahal Mangalyaya in Anuradhapura

By Dayaratne Embogama  

The government is looking for the possibility of changing the paddy cultivation tradition which Sri Lanka has carried out right throughout the history and thus have a third season in addition to Yala and Maha. This announcement was made by the Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera at the tradition Aluth Sahal Mangalyaya held in Anuradhapura over the week end.  

“We are currently developing a QR code system for farmers to provide them with relevant allowances and subsidies seamlessly. Additionally, we have already discussed reducing the price of herbicides by 10% in the future. We are also exploring the possibility of introducing a third season for cultivation, in addition to the current Yala and Maha seasons. The third season has already commenced in the Hambantota district, where it is being cultivated as an alternative crop, rather than paddy. We encourage farmers from other districts to apply for this third season as well,” the Minister said.   

“The Jathika Aluth Sahal Mangalyaya”, the national festival to offer the first portion of the harvest of the year to Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi at Anuradhapura took place last morning for the 56th year with President Ranil Wickremesinghe as the chief guest.  

Paddy cultivators representing all provinces carrying rice arrived in procession to the Sri Maha Bodhi and filled the huge bowl of rice in the main compound while the Mahasangha chanted Seth Pirith. Atamasthanadhipathi Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Thera administered religious observances.  

Vedda Chief Uruwarige Vannila Ettho offered a vessel of honey while Basnayake Nilame of Ratnapura Maha Saman Devala Migara Jayasundara Bandara offered a vessel of ghee.  
The President distributed a stock of seed paddy among the farmers from all provinces.