SL government spends over Rs. 13.5 billion for drought relief

The Sri Lankan government has spent more than Rs. 13.5 billion to provide relief to drought-stricken people, Minister of Disaster Management Duminda Dissanayake said.
 
Speaking at a media briefing, the Minister said that the present government has allocated the highest amount for the drought relief efforts.
 
Over 900,000 people from 260,000 families in 18 districts are severely affected by the dry weather.
 
The most affected districts by the drought are Anuradhapura, Kalutara, Moneragala, Kurunegala, Ratnapura, Puttalam, Mullaitivu, Trincomalee, Kegalle, Jaffna, Ampara, Vavuniya, Kilinochchi, Polonnaruwa, Batticaloa, Matale, Mannar and Hambantota.
 
The government has taken measures to meet the needs of affected people, including drinking water, the Minister said.
 
The government has spent more than Rs. 64 million from January this year alone to supply drinking water to 97 Divisional Secretariat Divisions affected by the drought.
 
Over 11,000 water tanks have been distributed and the cost incurred by the government was 91 million rupees.