Though locust swarms have invaded parts of neighbouring India, the chances of them entering Sri Lanka are very low, according to Director-General of the Department of Agriculture M. W. Weerakoon. Weerakoon speaking to The Morning however said a Agriculture Department task force consisting of 9 members has been appointed to take precautionary measures to address a possible attack from the desert locust. "The chances of the swarm migrating to Sri Lanka is very low. However we must be prepared because it will be a massive operation to ward off these pests. " He said the 9 member task force will put in place an early warning system, educate farmers, ensure preparedness of equipment and agro chemicals to fight the swarm and put in place emergency purchasing mechanisms. Weerakoon added that measures have already been taken to warn those in the coastal belt. "The task force is also looking at possibilities of tracking the movements of the desert swarm through a radar system." Speaking on the subject of the local locust attacks on several farmlands, he said plant protection teams have been dispatched to control the swarm through chemical means. He said measures have been taken to identify whether other villagers have also been affected. After we have identified villages that have been affected, we will educate farmers on ways and means to manage the locust attack, Weerakoon said.