Green light to restore paddy fields affected by Cyclone Ditwah
The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau said the Central Environmental Authority has approved the removal of sand and silt deposited in paddy fields severely damaged by Cyclone Ditwah. Approval covers fields in Polonnaruwa, Trincomalee, Ampara, Badulla, Batticaloa, Matale, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, Anuradhapura and Kurunegala.
Removed material may be transported by light vehicles to farmlands, the landowner’s property or authorized sites to enable restoration work. Regional Irrigation Engineers have been instructed to approve similar clearing in other agricultural lands. The Bureau added that separate permits will be required if the cleared sites are used commercially.