PARLIAMENT

Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne,—To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation,— (1)

(a) Will he inform this House of the —

(i) magnitude of damage that was caused to cultivations by wild animals in 2024;

(ii) resultant economic loss incurred; and

(iii) ‍measures that have been taken so far to mitigate the damage caused to cultivations by wild animals?

(b) Will he also inform this House —

(i) of the number of firearms issued to farmers in order to protect cultivations;

(ii) whether he is aware that a bullet used in such firearms costs Rs.450/;

(iii) whether he is aware that farmers are severely inconvenienced as a result; and

(iv) if so, of the measures that would be adopted in this regard?

(c) If not, why?