Southern Province holds Vap Magula

The Southern Provincial Vap Magula (Farming Festival) held concurrent to Food Production National Programme 2016 - 2018 launched by Presidential Task force on National Food Production was held on Wednesday (11) under the patronage of Agriculture Minister Duminda Dissanayake.

The Farming Festival was held at Kapuhempola Delgahawatte stretch of fields in Akmeemana, Galle.

Agriculture Minister Duminda Dissanayake ritually launched the event by planting paddy seedlings using a Rice Seedling Transplanting Machine in association with Galle District Parliamentarian Wijepala Hettiarachchi. Later, Southern Province Chief Minister Shan Wijayalal De Silva together with Provincial Agriculture Minister U.G.D. Ariyathilake planted paddy seedlings following the Parachute Rice Transplanting Method.

Section of the public who took part in the Vap Magula. Pictures by Mahinda P. Liyanage Galle Central Special Correspondent

A number of traditional dance performances and conventional songs presented on the occasion added further glamour to the Vap Magul ceremony. More importantly as part of the Farming Festival, 50 acres of paddy land at Kapuhempola and Kerenwila in Akmeemana which had been neglected for years were tilled and set for the re-cultivation following a special initiative launched by Labuduwa Agrarian Services Department.

Ven. Kegalle Pannarama Nayake Thera delivered a special “Anusasana” at the gathering that followed the Vap Magula. Agriculture Minister Duminda Dissanayake addressed the gathering. Southern Province Agriculture Minister U.G.D.Ariyathilake, Galle District Parliamentarian Wijepala Hettiarachchi, Galle District Agriculture Director Mahesh Subhasinghe and Galle District Agrarian Services Development Assistant Commissioner Kanchana Chaturani also spoke on the occassion. A distribution of Agro gears among the farmers was also held to mark the occasion. A host of public officials including Galle District Secretary S. T. Kodikara and Bope-Paddala Predeshiya Sabha Secretary Lalinda Gamage also participated in the event.