The report of the census on crop-damaging animals is to be released in the first week of April, it is learnt. 

Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation Media Secretary Asiri Lakmal Tennakoon said they had received the data on Friday (28). 

“The next step is a scientific verification process that will happen on a selected sample after looking at the data. The report will be finalised and shared by the first week of April or so,” he said.

He further clarified earlier reports that claimed the data would be released on Friday (28), stating that this was the date for the ministry to receive data from the district secretariats. 

– By Hiranyada Dewasiri