FALL ARMY WORM RAISES UGLY HEAD IN BADULLA DISTRICT

Fall Army Worm (Sena Dalambuwa), a virulent pest that caused much havoc destroying the maize cultivation all over the country and was brought under control with great difficulty by the Agricultural Department and the farmers has raised its ugly head again in the Badulla District.

The pest has been found last week in a maize cultivation in Thaldena in Soranathota Division in the Badulla District. The farmer R.M. Chandana said it was for the first time that his maize cultivation was affected by the Sena Dalambuwa pest. He pointed out that more than two acres of maize cultivation are on the verge of harvest had now been left to the mercy of the Sena Dalambuwa.

He said the colossal expenditure he met with bank loans and by pawning jewellery

would be lost and that he would be in a predicament.

Meanwhile, a senior official of the Uva Province Agricultural Department said it was a matter of serious concern that the pest, which they brought under control, was spreading again. He said he would take immediate steps to carry out an inspection of the affected cultivation.

The pest has been found last week in a maize cultivation in Thaldena in Soranathota Division in the Badulla District. The farmer R.M. Chandana said it was for the first time that his maize cultivation was affected by the Sena Dalambuwa pest