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Drought conditions destroy nearly 8,000 acres of crops across Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's agriculture sector has suffered significant losses as dry weather continues to damage extensive cultivated areas across the island. Agricultural authorities reported that nearly 8,000 acres of crops have been destroyed by the prolonged drought conditions.

LSN Sri Lanka · 1 September 2026

Drought conditions destroy nearly 8,000 acres of crops across Sri Lanka

The Minister of Agriculture confirmed that the drought has devastated agricultural production across multiple growing regions, with preliminary assessments indicating losses affecting approximately 8,000 acres of cultivated land. The dry spell has created challenging conditions for farmers already facing economic pressures, threatening food security and rural livelihoods.

Crops across various categories have been impacted by the extended period of insufficient rainfall, with both staple and commercial cultivation suffering damage. Agricultural officials have warned that the extent of crop losses may increase if moisture conditions do not improve in the coming weeks.

The government has indicated concern about the agricultural sector's vulnerability to weather fluctuations and is assessing the scale of farmer compensation and support measures. Regional agricultural departments have been monitoring conditions closely as the dry season persists, with forecasts indicating the need for continued vigilance in the coming period.

This development underscores ongoing challenges facing Sri Lanka's farming communities amid climate variability and resource constraints affecting rural production systems.