July 31, Anuradhapura: Farmers in Sri Lanka today took to the streets in Eppawela in the Anuradhapura District demanding a compensation payment of Rs. 75,000 for their paddy lands destroyed due to the shortage of water.

The farmers demanded the government to pay the compensation to cover their losses during the Yala season and to help them cultivate during the next Maha season.

Meanwhile, the government has said that a monthly payment of Rs. 6,000 would be paid to the farmers affected by the drought and would provide seed paddy and fertilizer free for the next season.

The farmers protesting today charged that the amount was insufficient and demanded to be paid a lump sum of Rs. 75,000.

The farmers threatened to take to the streets in Colombo to win their demands.