Northern cattle owners to get Rs.30 M as compensation for loss

The Agriculture Ministry has allocated Rs. 30.44 million as compensation for cattle owners in North and Eastern provinces who lost their cattle from last December’s cold weather.

A large number of cows and goats died in the above provinces due to the extremely cold weather conditions caused by cyclone Mandous. 

Rs.18.53 million will be distributed to cattle owners in Northern Province and Rs. 11.9 million rupees for cattle farmers in Eastern province.

Cheques were handed over by Minister of Agriculture, Mahinda Amaraweera, to the Additional Secretary of the Livestock Division, Dr. L. W. N.  Samaranayake on Tuesday(14). Compensation for dead animals will be done by provincial agriculture directors.

Rs.20, 000 for one head of cattle, Rs. 10,000 for a goat, Rs. 5000 for a calf, and Rs. 3000 for a kid (baby boat) will be given as compensation.

According to the Ministry, 514 cows, 630 calves, 305 goats and 144 kids died in the Northern Province due to the cold weather. Also, 423 cows, 299 calves, 65 goats and 45 goat calves died in Eastern Province.