Several thousand acres of paddy in the Batticaloa district are threatened by a parasite growing in the middle of the paddy stem. Unless a proper agro chemical is found to control this disease, the expected paddy harvest in the Batticaloa District will not be achievable.

Kokkadicholai and Wellawali are among the areas where this threat is largely felt.

Nearly 165,000 acres in the district have come under paddy cultivation in the current Maha season.

(ST/KH)