Tsunami strikes livestock farming in South

Thihagoda group correspondent

The tsunami tidal waves have badly affected the livestock farming activities in the Southern region.

Under this situation 544 buffaloes, 362 cattle, 663 goats, 91 pigs, 20,658 laying hens and 15,972 broilers have died.

In addition 6,579 acres of agricultural lands, 2,225 acres of paddy lands, 158 acres of fruit and vegetable lands and 4,100 acres of home gardens have been totally destroyed by the tsunami disaster. Over 3,400 farmer families have been badly affected by this tragedy.

The total damage would be in the region of Rs. 290 lakhs.

The high salinity in these agricultural lands caused by the tsunami is presently being gradually removed and they would be able to bring them under cultivation soon, Hemal Gunasekara, Southern Provincial Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Irrigation and Livestock Development told the Daily News.