Oct 30, Colombo: A farmers' association in Sri Lanka has called on the government to till paddy lands of farmers who were affected by the shortage of water for free for them to cultivate the next season.

National Organizer of the All Ceylon Farmers' Federation, Namal Karunaratne said the farmers who were badly hit by the drought during the Yala season are unable to cultivate paddy this Maha season due to the lack of resources.

He pointed out that the relief promised by the government had not yet been received by the farmers and they are unable to cultivate the Maha season.

"Even the pledge made by the government to farmers who lost their crops that their bank loans would be halted until the end of the Maha season has not been met," Karunaratne said.

"Since the government has not given the promised compensation to the farmers, measures should be taken to at least till their paddy lands for free to help them cultivate this Maha season," he added.