News

As country’s economic woes deepened Kohila consumption jumped by 45 percent

Published

3 years ago

2023/03/31

By Ifham Nizam

A new study conducted by the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agricultural Training and Research Institute has revealed the devastating impact of the economic crisis on the food consumption patterns of Sri Lankan citizens.

According to the report, the domestic demand for Kohila surged by 45 percent during the 2021-2022 period, as citizens were forced to manage with whatever vegetables they could find. In stark contrast, consumption of beans, carrots, pumpkin, brinjal, and leafy vegetables plummeted by 30 percent.

The research report, titled “Economic Crisis and Household Food Security in Sri Lanka- 2022,” paints a bleak picture of the situation in the country. Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera stated that between September 2021 and the end of 2022, food inflation skyrocketed to an alarming 95 percent. The report also notes that this crisis is the worst economic downturn the country has experienced since gaining independence.

The report highlights the devastating impact on the food consumption habits of Sri Lankan citizens, with 86 percent of the population forced to change their diets due to a reduction in the amount of food items available. A further 75 percent had to reduce the quantity of food they used to prepare meals, while 45 percent reduced the frequency of eating altogether. A staggering 38 percent even had to cut back on the amount of food they ate.

The crisis has hit the estate sector particularly hard, with nearly 68 percent of workers having to spend the majority of their daily earnings on food. In Ratnapura, Ampara, Matara, and Hambantota districts, 75 percent of people have been forced to spend all their earnings on food just to make ends meet. The report indicates that 43 percent of the urban sector, 52 percent of the rural sector, and 67 percent of the plantation sector are now suffering from food insecurity.

The situation is even more dire when it comes to nutrition. A significant proportion of Sri Lankan citizens are now unable to access protein-rich food, with 25 percent in urban areas, 03 percent in rural areas, and 07 percent in plantation areas being affected. An even greater number of people are deficient in vitamin A foods, with 66 percent in urban areas, 46 percent in rural areas, and 41 percent in plantation areas affected. During the survey period, a shocking 56 percent of the population were unable to access any food containing iron. The report also confirmed that 78 percent of plantation workers were unable to consume meat and fish, which are essential sources of haem iron.

While the report paints a bleak picture, there is some cause for optimism. Food inflation has now reduced to 57 percent in 2023, down from its peak of 95 percent in October 2022. Amaraweera has called for more surveys like this to be conducted every three months in collaboration with academics to keep track of the situation and ensure that Sri Lankan citizens are able to access adequate food in the future.

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Govt. extends ban on LTTE

Published

3 hours ago

2026/01/13

Sahan Weerasooriya

The NPP government has issued a new extraordinary gazette renewing and extending Sri Lanka’s long-standing ban on the LTTE and several Tamil diaspora organisations and individuals, continuing to designate them as “terrorists”.

The gazette, published recently, replaces a previous gazette issued in May 2025 and reaffirmed the proscription of a wide range of Tamil political and advocacy bodies operating around the world, alongside dozens of named individuals. The government alleged both the organisations and individuals listed are involved in “terrorism-related activities”.

The organisations blacklisted by the Sri Lankan government include:

• Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)

• Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO)

• Tamil Coordinating Committee (TCC)

• World Tamil Movement (WTM)

• Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE)

• World Tamil Relief Fund (WTRF)

• National Council of Canadian Tamils (NCCT)

• Tamil Youth Organisation (TYO)

While the majority of the designations mirror those contained in the May 2025 gazette, the latest document updates identification details and addresses for a number of individuals and introduces at least one additional organisation to the list. All entries have been reissued under new reference numbers for 2026, though the underlying allegations and framing remain unchanged.

Successive governemnts have maintained a sweeping proscription regime against Tamil diaspora groups and individuals. A ban can make it a criminal offence for Sri Lankan citizens to maintain contact with these organisations or their members, severely restricting political engagement and stifling links between the diaspora and the Tamil homeland.

The original mass listings were introduced in 2014 under the administration of Mahinda Rajapaksa. Despite repeated outcry, subsequent governments have continued to uphold and renew the proscription regime, even after the Rajapaksas were voted out of power.

News

Police obtain court order banning Wimal’s protest

Published

3 hours ago

2026/01/13

Sahan Weerasooriya

National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa addresses a gathering outside the Education Ministry on Monday before launching a protest demanding the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya as Education Minister over the inclusion of a link to an adult content website in the Grade 06 English module. (Pic by Thushara Atapattu)

Police yesterday (12) obtained an injunction order from the Kaduwela Magistrate’s court against the protest launched by National Freedom Front (NFF) leader and former Minister Wimal Weerawansa opposite the Education Ministry, Isurupaya, at Battaramulla.

Police informed Weerawansa of the court order. In line with the court order, the police informed Weerawansa that the road near the Ministry should not be obstructed and that no sound amplification equipment be used while the GCE Advanced Level (A/L) examination is in progress. The examination, put off due to Cyclone Ditwah, recommenced yesterday.

News

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expresses optimism that Sri Lanka is on the right path to progres

Published

3 hours ago

2026/01/13

Sahan Weerasooriya

FM Herath with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath held productive discussions with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi today (12/01), during the latter’s brief visit to Sri Lanka.

The meeting aimed at further strengthening bilateral engagement and advancing the Strategic Cooperative Partnership between the two countries. Both Ministers reaffirmed the longstanding friendship and time-tested cooperation between Sri Lanka and China rooted in centuries of exchanges and consolidated since the establishment of diplomatic relations seven decades ago. The discussion also focused on enhancing partnership in the areas of trade, investment, development cooperation and tourism.

Minister Herath extended deep appreciation to the Government and the people of China for the steadfast support extended to Sri Lanka following cyclone Ditwah and requested further support for the second phase of resettlement, relocation and rebuilding, particularly for the restoration of affected infrastructure including identified roads, railways and bridges that are vital to connectivity, economic recovery and daily lives of people. Minister Wang assured China’s fullest support for this initiative and expressed confidence that Sri Lanka will continue its rapid recovery under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Disanayaka. He also welcomed the people-centric policies of the Government and expressed optimism that Sri Lanka is on the right path toward fulfilling aspirations of its people.

Minister Herath expressed appreciation for China’s constructive role in international fora and reiterated Sri Lanka’s firm commitment to the One China Policy and China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Both Ministers also recalled the successful high level exchanges in the recent past, including visits of the President and the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka to China in 2025.