Sri Lanka faces a severe economic setback following massive floods that have devastated nearly one-third of the country. According to a communication from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the nation requires Rs. 31 billion as of November 28 to restore agriculture, irrigation tanks, and damaged canal systems.
In response to the widespread destruction, the government has issued an urgent appeal for international assistance. Of the total amount requested, Rs. 15 billion is needed to rehabilitate paddy lands and vegetable crops destroyed by relentless rainfall.
The Ministry further noted that Rs. 4.8 billion is required for the restoration of minor irrigation tanks, Rs. 900 million for repairing anicuts, Rs. 8.3 billion for minor irrigation systems, and Rs. 1.8 billion to restore damaged irrigation canals.
Floods have washed away nearly 510,000 hectares of cultivated rice fields, resulting in immense agricultural losses. To re-cultivate these lands, the government is seeking fertiliser support from international donors, including 112,000 metric tons of Urea, 30,000 metric tons of MOP, and 30,000 metric tons of TOP.
Compounding the crisis, further damage to the irrigation network has occurred, with the recent breach of the Mavil Aru dam wall in the Eastern Province adding to the scale of the disaster.
