Compensation to Be Provided for Farmers Affected by Nilwala Saltwater Barrier Project
Compensation is set to be provided today under the leadership of the President to farmers in Matara District who were unable to continue cultivation due to the saltwater barrier constructed across the Nilwala River.
The Agrarian and Agricultural Insurance Board has announced that compensation payments will be distributed to all affected farmers within the next 14 days.
According to a statement issued by the board, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board initiated a special project in 2019 to construct a saltwater barrier across the Nilwala River in order to prevent seawater from contaminating drinking water sources in the Matara District.
However, since the construction of the barrier, annual heavy rainfall has reportedly caused flooding, leading to repeated crop damage in the surrounding agricultural areas.
Several farming regions, including Madihakodagama, Kekanadura, Kamburupitiya, Malimbada, and Meda Uyangoda, have reportedly become unsuitable for cultivation due to the flooding situation.
Farmers and agricultural organizations continuously raised concerns with the relevant authorities regarding the issue. As a result, Cabinet approval has been granted to provide compensation for losses incurred during seven consecutive cultivation seasons from 2019 to 2022.
The compensation covers agricultural lands that could not be cultivated during the 2019 Yala season, 2019/20 Maha season, 2020 Yala season, 2020/21 Maha season, 2021 Yala season, 2021/22 Maha season, and the 2022 Yala season.
To address the demands of the affected farmers, the government has allocated 1,200 million rupees through the 2026 national budget to provide compensation for the uncultivated lands.
