Political News | Sundayobserver.lk

The drought prevailing in the country and the Dengue epidemic has affected many people. The Government is taking necessary measures to reduce the impact of the drought and to curb the Dengue menace.

All-out effort to eradicate Dengue

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena

Q: July has been declared as the National Dengue eradication month. What are the programs to be launched?

A: All public and private premises and its environs will be checked out for mosquito breeding grounds. Awareness Campaigns with posters, cut-outs, banners, and handouts will be conducted throughout the country. Around 50 micro biologist teams have been assigned to detect all mosquito breeding spots.

Q: What is your message to the people to make this campaign a success?

A: People must work closely with all institutions and organisations in their effort to arrest the spread of the Dengue epidemic. Everybody should act with a sense of responsibility to save people and the country from the Dengue menace.

Govt. will give relief to drought-hit farmers

Irrigation and Water Management Minister - Nimal Siripala De Silva

Q: Mahaweli farmers who are the most affected by the prevailing drought blamed the authorities that water was not provided for cultivation. Polonnaruwa farmers too made the same complaint. What steps have been taken to overcome this problem?

A: Farmers should adhere to the decisions made in Mahaweli areas at the beginning of this year where farmers were asked to cultivate only 40 percent of paddy and another 40 percent with subsidiary crops in view of the lack of adequate rains. Since some of the farmers cultivated large tracks of paddy lands - the situation has deteriorated to what it is today.

Q: Do you expect to provide relief to the drought hit farmers?

A: Yes, the Government is at the moment considering a package of relief measures for them.

Rains have failed to come

Meteorology Department Acting Director General Lalith Chandrapala.

Q: Almost all tanks and reservoirs in the Dry Zone and the Central hills are severely affected by the continuing drought. Why is this?

A: During the South West monsoon, except the western province and certain parts of Galle, Matara, Hambantota and Puttalam districts, other parts of the country have not so far experienced rains. The usual rains prior to the onset of South West monsoon which fill the tanks and reservoirs too have not been received as yet.

Q: When will the current drought end?

A: Generally the South West monsoon continues till October or November.