Business

Prioritising Child-Friendly Policies: Addressing Sri Lanka’s child malnutrition crisis

Published

3 years ago

2023/10/13

By Dr Nisha Arunatilake

Even before the onset of COVID-19, malnutrition stood as a significant driver of multi-dimensional poverty among children in Sri Lanka. Startling data from the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) in 2019 revealed that one in three children aged 0 to 4 who are multidimensionally poor, are either underweight or stunted. The multiple crises that affected Sri Lanka since 2020 have only exacerbated the already precarious nutrition situation in poor households. This blog argues the need for prioritising social policies focused on children to ensure sustained investment in human capital.

Crisis Impact on Government Initiatives

In response to the pressing nutrition issues in the country, successive governments have introduced several initiatives to maintain the minimum required nutrition levels to ensure unhampered growth and development. However, the crisis affected several of these nutrition programmes, depriving households of access to much-needed social assistance for maintaining nutrition, when it was needed the most.

One such initiative that was adversely affected was the Triposha programme. Triposha is a nutrient-dense food supplement given to pregnant mothers and young children affected by malnutrition. During the crisis, supply chain disruptions and issues of sourcing ingredients necessary for production resulted in a 51% drop in the production of Thriposha in 2020. This resulted in many identified households not receiving nutrition assistance through Triposha.

Another programme adversely affected by the economic crisis was the breakfast programme for preschool (BPS) children. The BOS provides children in selected pre-schools with a daily nutritious breakfast according to the Ministry of Health guidelines. In 2017, a sum of LKR 30 was allocated per child per meal for this programme. Despite high food inflation, this amount was not revised, making it impossible to supply meals as specified by the Ministry of Health.

The Plight of the Urban Poor

A study by the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS) finds that the recent economic crisis had devastating effects on the food environment in urban underserved settlements (USSs). According to retail and eatery owners serving these communities, food prices have skyrocketed during the economic crisis. The price of nadu-rice, the cheapest variety of rice in the market, doubled from LKR 100 in August 2021 to LKR 220 in August 2022. The prices of other staples frequently consumed by poor households, like dhal, eggs, dried fish and dried sprats, also increased several folds.

The crisis also reduced the availability of food in the market. The policies introduced by the government to contain the import costs, such as the chemical fertiliser ban and food imports, reduced the variety of food in the market. Further, the vendors were storing less expensive food items in the market as the demand for expensive food items reduced due to low affordability.

As explained by a retail owner in the area:

“I used to stock 50kg of rice earlier, now, I only stock 5kg of rice.”

“We used to keep stocks of green gram and cowpea. But now only one or two customers buy those items, so I do not stock them anymore.”

Coping with Food Inflation

The households in the USSs were using various methods to cope with food inflation. Most stopped eating from outside and reduced buying snacks. Consumption of milk, vegetables, fruits, and meat has all been reduced. One of the main sources of fat for USS residents, coconuts, has also declined during the crisis. As explained by some of the residents:

“We used to drink tea with milk in the morning and afternoon. Now we can only have milk tea in the morning.”

“We used to eat about 250g of vegetables per meal earlier. Now we make the same amount of vegetables last for two meals.”

“We only eat chicken once or twice a week. We try to manage mainly with dried fish and eggs for protein.”

“We rarely eat fruits now. Fruit is expensive. If we buy fruit, we don’t have money for other food.”

“We used to eat about one coconut a day earlier. Now we make one coconut last several days, as the price of coconuts has increased.”

The above findings show that households were either marginally or moderately food insecure during the economic crisis (See infographic). Households in USSs have compromised on food quality and variety, or reduced food consumption due to the crisis.

Conclusion

The findings from Sri Lanka emphasise the pressing issue of child malnutrition, which has only worsened amidst recent crises. Although there are several government initiatives to improve the nutrition levels of children in the country, their operations were severely affected by the economic crisis.

More attention needs to be paid to sustaining the social policies focusing on children, particularly during times of crisis. Only by doing so, we can ensure that children’s development is not compromised due to crisis and that they have the opportunity to thrive, regardless of the adversities they face.

Link to original blog: https://www.ips.lk/talkingeconomics/2023/10/11/prioritising-child-friendly-policies-addressing-sri-lankas-child-malnutrition-crisis/

Dr Nisha Arunatilake is the Director of Research at IPS. She heads the Labour, Employment and Human Resource Development unit at the IPS. Her research interests include labour market analysis, education and skills development, migration and development, and health economics. She holds a BSc in Computer Science and Mathematics summa cum laude from the University of the South, USA and an MA and PhD in Economics from Duke University, USA. (nisha@ips.lk)

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President signals priority for domestic economic policy autonomy

Published

3 hours ago

2026/10/14

Sahan Weerasooriya

Govt. in ‘Consideration Mode’ over next IMF programme:

By Sanath Nanayakkare

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake revealed that the government remains in “consideration mode” regarding whether Sri Lanka will enter into a follow-up Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) once the active facility concludes in March 2027.

Participating in an engaging Fireside Chat at the inauguration of the Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit 2026, organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce at the Shangri-La Colombo on October 12, the President emphasised that any future engagement with the IMF must afford adequate policy space for his administration to execute its own sovereign economic vision.

The session, moderated by Bingumal Thewarathanthri, Vice Chairperson of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Sri Lanka, saw the Head of State outline a comprehensive roadmap spanning macro-fiscal discipline, port infrastructure expansion, energy sector restructuring, fuel pricing dynamics, and technology training.

Addressing a packed hall of top-tier business leaders, diplomats, and international investors, President Dissanayake noted that while the current IMF arrangement has proceeded without impeding the government’s core economic strategy, a prospective post-March program will undergo rigorous evaluation.

“Our foreign reserve levels are satisfactory for paying our way through the world. However, there is global uncertainty amid the current geopolitical situation. No indicators can say when the war will end or what weather-related disasters could happen,” the President remarked, referencing external vulnerabilities such as Middle Eastern tensions and local climate disruptions like Cyclone Ditwah.

He stressed that while macro-fiscal parameters – including progressive revenue targets and debt-ceiling management – remain fundamental to national stability, the government is acutely conscious of the tax burdens and social costs borne by citizens. Therefore, any future framework proposed by the IMF will be examined through the lens of domestic policy autonomy and social protection.

Turning to critical national assets, President Dissanayake announced bold restructuring plans for the Port of Colombo aimed at elevating Sri Lanka’s position as a dominant regional maritime hub.

East Container Terminal (ECT): The government intends to grant management and operating rights of the ECT to a private sector partner while retaining 100% state ownership. Operating under the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), the terminal currently handles approximately 500,000 TEUs against a potential capacity of 3.2 million TEUs. Five to six major global shipping lines have already expressed preliminary interest.

West Container Terminal II (WCT II): A funding requirement of approximately $1.4 billion for breakwater infrastructure is being sought from multilateral development institutions. Preliminary design work, assisted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is slated for completion by April 2027, adding another 3.2 million TEUs in annual throughput capacity upon full buildout.

Logistics Hub & Custom Clearance: The SLPA will call fresh tenders for a dedicated logistics center within the Port of Colombo following the resolution of land disputes. Additionally, Cabinet approval has been granted for a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to establish a 150-container examination facility in Kerawalapitiya to streamline Customs clearance.

Addressing energy security and domestic distribution, the President indicated that existing petroleum agreements with private market participants – including Lanka IOC and Sinopec – would undergo formal review involving the Attorney General.

Expressing concern over distribution bottlenecks in outstation areas where private outlets dominate, President Dissanayake called on private players to balance profit margins with social responsibility during times of price volatility. To guarantee uninterrupted national supply, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) plans to add 75 new filling stations across the island.

Furthermore, to enhance maritime competitiveness, the government is considering lowering the 2.5% tax/levy on bunkering services in Budget 2027 and exploring CPC-private partnerships for bunker fuel storage expansion at the JCT Oil Bank.

In renewable energy, the government will open four major grid transmission lines for private-sector participation and transition away from fixed feed-in tariffs set by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) toward competitive bidding to drive down generation costs. Floating solar projects, such as the Ibbankatuwa model, will be prioritised to overcome land availability constraints.

In a bid to address structural workforce shortages in high-tech sectors, the President revealed that Sri Lanka will sign an agreement with Singapore next week to establish a specialized training institute on Wijerama Mawatha in Colombo. The center will focus on rapidly expanding local capacity in Information Communications Technology (ICT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

He also highlighted plans to restructure public sector remuneration for highly skilled professionals and proposed an outcome-based procurement model for international promotional campaigns, such as global tourism marketing, where agencies are compensated based on verified growth in tourist arrivals.

Business

‘SL, a top market in region for quality powder coatings’

Published

3 hours ago

2026/10/14

Sahan Weerasooriya

Franck Derouen (L) and Nazru Nizar at the product launch.

By Hiran H. Senewiratne

‘Sri Lanka is a top market in the South Asian region for quality powder coatings, Franck Derouen, Business Director, Industrial MEA – West & Central Asia, Axalta Coating Systems (ME) LLC, said.

‘We see significant long-term potential for powder coatings in Sri Lanka and look forward to working closely with Richardson Holdings to offer Axalta’s technology, expertise and global standards for all customers, Derouen said at a launch of the products in Sri Lanka together with Richardson Holdings recently. The event was held at the ITC Ratnadipa, Colombo.

Derouen added: ‘More than a brand transition, this appointment comes as project volumes and material demand continue to rise across Sri Lanka’s construction and property development sectors, giving developers and specifiers greater access to premium performance powder coatings at a time of renewed industry activity.

‘For architects, engineers, extruders and applicators, Axalta’s powder coatings combine UV resistance, gloss retention and corrosion protection with the technical performance expected for long-term architectural projects.’

Group Managing Director, Richardson Holdings, Nazri Nizar said, ‘A strong global brand might open the door. However long-term customer trust is built locally through dedicated support and reliable delivery. The true measure of a distributor lies in the service, care, and operational execution which follows after the product arrives.

‘Combining Axalta’s 150 years of global coating expertise with Richardson’s two decades of deep local relationships and technical know-how, we are bringing customers the best of both worlds.

‘Bridging global standards with local expertise, Richardson Projects will serve as Axalta’s trusted local powder coatings partner, combining global technology with two decades of on-the-ground experience serving Sri Lanka’s construction ecosystem.’

Pradeep Kahawalage, Chief Executive Officer, Richardson Projects, said, ‘After two decades building trust in Sri Lanka’s powder coatings industry, this marks an important new chapter for Richardson. Axalta gives us a global technology partner that matches the standards we have already built our reputation on. We are excited to bring that expertise to Sri Lanka’s construction and aluminium industries in the years ahead.

‘With a focus on sustainability, technical excellence and long-term partnership, Richardson looks forward to supporting architects, developers, fabricators and applicators throughout Sri Lanka with Axalta powder coating as the industry continues to grow.’

Business

99X Sri Lanka takes lead in product engineering and tech solutions

Published

3 hours ago

2026/10/14

Sahan Weerasooriya

From left: Chrishan de Mel, Chief Marketing and Corporate Affairs Officer, 99x Product Engineering; Odd-Sverre Østlie, Group CEO, 99x Norway; Shehani Seneviratne, Chief Operating Officer, 99x Product Engineering; Kalana Wijesekara, Chief Developer Experience Officer, 99x Product Engineering.

By Steve A. Morrell

Headquartered in Norway, Sri Lanka’s 99x office is emerging as a global leader in digital product engineering and tech solutions.

The above products and their development are prioritized in even local university level digital technology centered courses of study. Priority is increasingly attached to them in the context of career development.

Shehani Seneviratne, Chief Operating Officer of 99x Product Engineering, while reiterating the importance of these subject areas at a recent event stressed their continued centrality in degree level courses of study.

The event brought together members of the 99x leadership team including Odd-Sverre Østlie, Group CEO of 99x, Kalana Wijesekara, Chief Developer Experience Officer, Shehani Seneviratne, Chief Operating Officer, 99x Product Engineering, and Chrishan de Mel, ChiefMarketing and Corporate Affairs Officer of 99x Product Engineering.

Opening the event, Chrishan de Mel shared how 99x’s Agent Control Plane xians.ai was awarded the “Best Agentic AI Solution” at the recently concluded National AI Awards. The platform was also awarded national recognition at the SLASSCOM National Ingenuity Awards as the “Best Innovation in Internal Processes, Technology or Framework” category. Earlier this year, the 99x AI-first initiatives won the overall gold award at the Best Management Practices awards.

As 99x expands its use of AI tools and agents across engineering, support and other functions, the company recognised the need for greater visibility into how these AI-assisted workflows perform. As AI continues to reshape traditional engineering workflows, it also creates new opportunities to improve productivity, quality and speed. This need led to the development of AI Hub, 99x’s new platform for observing and measuring AI assisted workflows.

Speaking at the AI Hub launch, Kalana Wijesekere said, AI adoption is happening at a remarkable pace but adopting more tools does not automatically mean achieving better outcomes. AI Hub gives teams the visibility to understand what is happening within their AI assisted workflows and enables them to make informed decisions about how these workflows should evolve.

Sharing an update on the 99x group’s global journey and market outlook, Odd-Sverre Østlie highlighted the company’s continued expansion across Europe, the Americas and Asia, alongside growing demand from customers seeking to integrate AI into their products and operations. He stated, ‘AI is fundamentally changing the expectations our customers have from their technology partners. They want to move faster, experiment more quickly and increasingly understand how AI can create measurable business value. Our ambition is to be a long-term engineering partner that can help customers navigate this transformation. The launch of AI hub advances 99x’s AI-first strategy moving beyond the adoption of AI tools.’