President Maithripala Sirisena at an event at Anuradhapura yesterday, said government had allocated Rs. 7,000 million for relief for farmers affected by the drought, which would be deposited in their bank accounts before the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.

‘I remember there was a serious famine in 2013. Farmers were not able to do anything. I remember no relief was granted to the farmers at that time. But this time, we want to make sure the farmers are not economically hit by the famine, for this, we will make sure that those affected by the drought will receive relief before the Sinhala and Tamil New year,” he said.

He said the money has already been set aside from the Treasury for this purpose.