No rain in North: Mannar farmers face ruin

Resettled farmers in the Mannar District are facing severe hardships as rains during the Maha cultivation season have not materialized as expected. 

The farmers, who were displaced for years due to the war, say they have engaged in 'chena' cultivation on lands with great difficulty after being resettled. Many say that they had even pawned their jewelry in a bid to finance their cultivations. 

While the Government has provided new houses for the farmers, they say they are struggling to maintain their livelihoods now as the rains have not been falling as they had hoped. 

Story and Pix by Romesh Madushanka

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