Sri Lanka's agriculture sector is grappling with the far-reaching consequences of climate change and erratic weather patterns, with Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera warning of challenging times ahead.

According to the Minister, the Meteorological Department has issued concerning forecasts, indicating that the nation is set to endure another severe drought during the upcoming Yala season. This sobering prediction has prompted calls for immediate measures to mitigate the impact on agricultural activities.

Minister Amaraweera further elaborated that while initial estimates suggested that as much as one lakh acres of farmland might succumb to the drought this year's Yala season, the actual extent of damage has already reached a staggering 66,000 acres.

Adding to the complex climate dynamics, the Minister expressed concern about the potential effects of the El Niño phenomenon, which could bring not only drought conditions but also heavy rains and floods during the forthcoming Maha season.