Sri Lanka: Torrential Rains Damage Rice Crops

Torrential rains across Sri Lanka during the ongoing crucial harvest season is likely to lower the quality of rice which might force domestic prices to climb to higher levels in the coming months.

At the moment, torrential rains have generated floods in Sri Lanka's major paddy cultivating areas of Rajangana, Tissamaharama, Polonnaruwa, Ampara and Batticaloa. It was also reported that 3000 acres of paddy have already being inundated in the Tissamaharama area in the island's southern region.

The reduction of the harvest is likely to prevent steep falls in prices, which were widely awaited after the ongoing so-called Maha or main paddy harvest season.