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Oversight committee calls for faster compensations for Ditwah-hit farmers
View(s):By Dilushi Wijesinghe
A Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee called for faster and more structured compensation mechanisms for farmers and agricultural communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah, as concerns mount over the pace of recovery and the lack of clarity on restoration timelines.
The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability took up the impact of the cyclone on the agricultural sector and the environment when it met on January 22, under the chairmanship of MP Hector Appuhamy. The discussion centred on the extent of damage caused by the cyclone and the measures being implemented to restore affected areas to normalcy.
At the outset, the Committee Chair sought clarification on whether data-driven assessments had been carried out to determine the damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah, particularly to crops, plantations, irrigation systems, and agricultural infrastructure.
In response, ministry officials said that damage assessments had been completed and that reports estimating losses had already been prepared. The Committee was briefed on these findings, while department officials presented data compiled by their respective institutions.
The discussion also turned to compensation, with members questioning how losses would be calculated and when payments could realistically be expected by affected farmers and producers. Officials from the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure informed the Committee that compensation payments would be made only after the submission and approval of a Cabinet Memorandum.
As a result, they said they were unable to provide further details at this stage on compensation rates or disbursement schedules.
Committee members expressed concern over the lack of a clearly articulated compensation framework, noting that prolonged uncertainty could further undermine livelihoods in areas already weakened by extreme weather.
The Committee stressed the need for a formal, transparent, and systematic mechanism for compensation payments, and instructed officials to expedite the process in view of the urgency on the ground.
The Committee also recommended that all ministries involved should submit their detailed reports on the impact of Cyclone Ditwah to the Committee, to enable closer parliamentary oversight of recovery efforts and policy responses.
Members underscored the importance of coordinated action between ministries, particularly given the interconnected nature of agriculture, land use, water management, and environmental protection.
In addition to immediate relief and compensation, the meeting highlighted broader concerns about resilience and preparedness within the agricultural sector.
Members pointed out that repeated climate-related shocks have exposed structural weaknesses, including inadequate data integration, slow administrative processes, and limited support systems for small-scale farmers and plantation workers.
With agriculture remaining a critical source of employment and food security, members noted that delays in restoration could have cascading effects on rural incomes, domestic food supply, and price stability.
The Committee is expected to revisit the issue once the requested reports are submitted, with a view to monitoring the implementation of compensation schemes and longer-term measures aimed at strengthening the resilience of the agricultural sector to future climate-related disasters.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure, the Ministry of Environment, and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development were present at the meeting, along with representatives from key departments and statutory bodies operating under those ministries.
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