Repayment of Cultivation Loans deferred.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has instructed the Treasury to take immediate action to defer the installments of cultivation loans until the next cultivation season.

Drought situation in the North Central province is very severe and if there were no rain for another one week most of the cultivations is in the danger of getting destroyed.  This matter was discussed at length at the Cabinet Meeting held yesterday, and as this government is a farmer friendly government every step will be taken to protect and compensate the farmers.   

This was disclosed by the Minister of Mass Media and Information Keheliya Rambukwella at the Cabinet press briefing held at the Ministry of Mass Media and Information on Thursday.

The Minister said that situation keeps on varying depending on the weather conditions and the officials have been instructed to collect data on the situation on a daily basis and submit weekly reports to the treasury to release necessary funds for relief assistance, for payment of compensation and for  other activities including renovation of canals and waterways.  (niz)