The Socio Economics and Planning Centre of the Department of Agriculture in Peradeniya revealed that the reported paddy sown extent up to end December 2015 for Maha 2015/16 season was 769,011 ha; 92% of the target (838,142ha).

In comparison to the average sown extent of last 3 Maha seasons the progressed paddy sown extent up to end December 2015 is 5% higher

It was further revealed that target exceeded in major paddy producing areas of Kurunagala, Ampara and Mahaweli H and other major paddy producing areas also reported above 95% progress from the target

14,149ha of crop damage has been reported mainly due to floods especially in Baticcaloa (12,502ha) district. Pest and disease damage reported from Ampara, Kaluthara, Galle and Nuwara Eliya districts

According to the Dept. the paddy production forecast up to end December 2015 is 2.93 million mt, considering the crop losses too. It is 2% and 7% higher compared to the production of Maha 2014/15 and production average of past 3 Maha seasons respectively