President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday instructed the relevant authorities to distribute dry rations to the people affected by the prevailing drought in the country.
President Sirisena had also instructed to provide drinking and other water requirements to the people in those affected areas.
Meanwhile, President Maithripala Sirisena visited several drought hit areas in Anuradhapura yesterday and inquired about the problems and discomfort faced by the drought hit people.
Anuradhapura Government Agent RM Wanninayake said the relevant Divisional Secretaries and PC (NCP) Minister Susil Gunaratne along with several divisional politicians accomapined the President during the visit. Former Minister Tissa Karalliyadda was also was present on the occasion.
After listening to the villagers grievances, President Sirisena instructed the Anuradhapura Government Agent to launch an emergency programme to dig temporally wells in the tank beds and other suitable areas to get adequate underground water for the people.
The President informed the Government Agent to take measures action to get the required manpower and technical assistance for the programme of digging wells from the Security forces and the Civil Security Department through the Presidential Secretariat in addition to the manpower contribution of the villagers and Non-Governmental Organizations.
President Sirisena advised the GA to apply for the additional funds from the relevant authorities and he would sanction the releasing of extra funds for the drought relief measures in Anuradhapura district.
After coming to know about the issues faced by villagers in Kebithigollewa, the President instructed the authorities to accelerate the proposed electrified fences without further delay in these affected villages.
Meanwhile, according to a situation report issued by the Disaster Management Center as at July 30, 2017, the Sabaragamuwa, Uva, Central, North Western, North Central, Eastern, Trincomalee Provinces, including the Trincomalee, Ampara, Batticaloa, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Jaffna, Mulativ, Mannar, Vavuniya, Kilinochchi, Kurunegala, Puttalam, Kandy, Matale, Badulla, Ratnapura districts have been affected by the drought condition.
Accordingly, 314,049 families (1,093,717 people) have been affected by the drought.
The DMC has so far spent Rs.40 million to provide clean drinking water for the people in affected areas.