Govt Approves Compensation for Sugarcane Farmers

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Sri Lankan government has approved financial compensation for 235 sugarcane farmers whose crops were destroyed in a series of deliberate fires at the Sevanagala Sugar Factory, operated by Lanka Sugar (Pvt.) Limited.

The fires, reported on August 16, 20, 21, 22, 24 and September 4 and 5, resulted in the destruction of approximately 19,000 metric tons of sugarcane. 

Due to the nature of the crop, which must be processed within 24 hours of burning, grinding operations were concluded by August 30, leaving many farmers without recourse.

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to compensate farmers at a rate of Rs 7,000 per metric ton of fire-damaged sugarcane.

A special committee comprising officials from the Sugarcane Research Institute and Lanka Sugar (Pvt.) Limited will be appointed to assess the extent of damage and verify the number of affected farmers.