COLOMBO (News 1st): Today marks the second day of the fourth phase of the Gammadda door-to-door initiative. Our teams, currently deployed in three districts will visit the people to document their myriad of unheard and unheeded issues.

Farming is the main livelihood of people residing in the Galewela Divisional Secretariat of the Matale district. Due to the lack of a proper pricing mechanism, these villagers have been forced to abandon their cultivation activities.

Among the several issues faced by locals in the Bulnaawa Dewahuuwa village in Galewela, is an unidentified disease that devastates their crops. Locals charge that this disease has destroyed approximately 500 acres of cultivation. Although authorities were informed of this matter several times, no steps have been taken to address this issue.

Meanwhile, another Gammadda door-to-door team visited the Serupitiya village in Southern Kalutara. The main issue these villagers face is the lack of drinking water. The Serupitiya village, which belongs to the Dodangoda Divisional Secretariat provides shelter to nearly 400 families. The team then visited locals residing near the Kalido coastal belt. Fishing is their main source of income. However, due to sea erosion, these locals are compelled to dock their fishing boats near the main road.

Meanwhile, another Gammadda door-to-door team visited the locals residing in the 4th division in Nagadeepa, Jaffna. Among the many difficulties they face, the lack of drinking water and housing facilities top the list. Locals of the Analathevu island are also facing the same fate. The Gammadda door-to-door teams will visit the people in the Matale, Kalutara and Jaffna districts tomorrow (July 20).

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