News
Food insecurity improves in Lanka but prevails within specific regions – FAO & WFP
Food security in Sri Lanka is improving across all provinces, according to the Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission (CFSAM) report jointly carried out in February/March 2023 by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).
The report estimates 3.9 million people or 17 percent of the population is in moderate acute food insecurity which is nearly a 40 percent decrease from June/July last year. Nearly 10,000 people are severely acute food-insecure, down from 66,000 people last year.
The improvement in food security stems from better food consumption, which could be attributed to reduced food prices and improved incomes among farming communities during the harvesting period when the mission was carried out.
Despite this positive trend, food insecurity remains high in certain districts, especially Kilinochchi, Nuwara Eliya, Mannar, Batticaloa, Vavuniya, and Jaffna. The highest level of acute food insecurity was found within the tea plantation communities in the Estate sector and among daily wage labourers and households who rely on social assistance programmes, such as Samurdhi, as their main source of income.
Production of cereal, including rice and maize, across the two main cropping seasons in 2022/23 is forecast at 4.1 million tonnes, 14 percent below the past five-year average, mainly due to poor plant nutrition caused by an inadequate supply of fertilizer and unaffordability of essential material inputs. However, essential fertilizers distributed to smallholder farmers by the Government, facilitated by funds received from multilateral and bilateral donor agencies, has significantly impacted production, marking an improvement in the yield with productivity in the recently harvested 2022/23 “Maha” season, 12% higher than the 2022 “Yala” season.
Representative of FAO to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Vimlendra Sharan speaking on CFSAM Report findings said, “The Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission (CFSAM) report is an eye-opener on the continuing vulnerabilities and challenges that exist within the food systems of Sri Lanka. This report and its findings will no doubt serve as a guiding light for policymakers and stakeholders to collectively work towards ensuring food security, strengthening agricultural resilience and mitigating risks faced by farmers and rural communities who have been disproportionately impacted by the economic crisis. FAO remains committed to supporting Sri Lanka in their efforts towards achieving sustainable food systems, food security and zero hunger.”
“After many months of challenges, we are finally witnessing an improvement to the country’s food security,” said Abdur Rahim Siddiqui, WFP Sri Lanka’s Representative and Country Director. “But there is more to be done. A high number of households — more than 60 percent — are adopting negative measures to put food on the table, including borrowing money and purchasing food on credit. WFP will extend its emergency operation, which commenced last year, to provide food rations and cash assistance to people identified as food insecure.”
Latest News
Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala and Kurunegala districts.
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 04 May 2025, valid for 05 May 2025.
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala and Kurunegala districts.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
“Power failures on election day could occur due to natural causes or sabotage”
Funds allocated for hiring power generators for the counting centres were inadequate, and the Grama Niladaris (GNs) would not be able to ensure a back-up power supply to those places, President of the Sri Lanka United Grama Niladhari Association, Nandana Ranasinghe warned yesterday.
Addressing a press conference, Ranasinghe said: “Under these circumstances, it will not be possible to provide the counting centres with generators. Funds must also be allocated for hiring electric bulbs, cables and transporting generators as well.
“Unless funds are made available immediately, the GNs must not be held responsible if something goes wrong in the event of a power failure, either due to natural causes or sabotage. The GNs must not be asked to bear the cost of supplying back-up power to counting centres.
“In some areas, the District Returning Officers are pressuring the GNs to bear the cost of hiring power generators. The GNs must not be forced to spend their personal funds to provide facilities to counting centres.
“If a power outage occurs, it will definitely cause issues at counting centres. In the event of disruptions to the vote counting process, the results in the polling divisions under the centres may have to be annulled.”
More than 65,000 police officers would be deployed for the 06 May local government (LG) elections from today (05), Police Media Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manatunga told The Island, yesterday. The police personnel will include members of the Police Special Task Force, intelligence units, security divisions, and mobile patrol teams.
Army Media Spokesman Brigadier Varuna Gamage told The Island that 8,500 military personnel would be deployed on the roads across the country in view of the LG elections.
He said the Army would coordinate with the police, and that troops in all military camps had been placed on standby to face any situation.
By Norman Palihawadane and Chaminda Silva
Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala and Kurunegala districts.
Showers expected in most provinces during the afternoon or night today
Fund issues may leave counting centres without back-up power tomorrow: GNs’ trade union
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