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‘Lanka faces food crisis’ :FAO calls for $16.5m aid

Published

4 weeks ago

2026/01/16

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Headquarters in Rome issued an appeal calling for international assistance of USD 16.5 million to support the early recovery of livelihoods and food security for farming, livestock-keeping and fishing communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka, FAO said yesterday.

Cyclone Ditwah represents one of the most severe climate shocks the country has faced in decades, affecting all 25 districts and disrupting the lives and livelihoods of more than 2.2 million people. Over 1.1 million people are now in urgent need of food security, agricultural and nutrition assistance, at a time when vulnerabilities were already heightened by prolonged economic pressures.

The cyclone struck at the onset of the critical Maha 2025/26 cultivation season, causing widespread damage to agriculture, livestock and fisheries. Floods inundated more than 129 000 hectares of agricultural land, affecting over 227 000 farming households. Standing water, debris, siltation and damaged irrigation systems are delaying replanting, while shortages of seeds, fertilizers and access to machinery threaten to result in irreversible production losses if immediate support is not provided.

Livestock and fisheries losses have further compounded the crisis. More than 37 000 cattle and buffaloes, nearly 16 000 goats and sheep, and 475 000 poultry have been lost, while damage to fisheries and aquaculture is estimated at USD 66–69 million, undermining both food availability and household incomes.

“This appeal focuses on early recovery interventions that are urgently needed to stabilize livelihoods and safeguard food production.,” said Vimlendra Sharan, FAO Representative for Sri Lanka and the Maldives. “While the overall requirements for the agrifood sector to fully rebound are substantially higher, immediate early recovery support is critical to prevent long-term losses, deeper food insecurity and increased reliance on food assistance.”

Issued by FAO Headquarters in Rome, the appeal targets 256 000 households (approximately 1.03 million people) across the Central, Eastern, North Central, North Western, Northern, Uva and Western Provinces. The USD 16.5 million requirement reflects priority early recovery actions, designed to rapidly restore productive capacity and protect livelihoods.

FAO’s planned interventions include:

Restoring crop production by providing seeds, fertilizers and essential agricultural inputs to smallholder farmers;

Safeguarding livestock assets through emergency animal health services, vaccines, veterinary kits and poultry restocking;

Supporting fisheries and aquaculture livelihoods through the repair or replacement of damaged boats and fishing gear; and

Providing cash-based assistance, including cash-for-work, to meet immediate needs, support livelihood restoration and enable debris clearance where markets are functioning.

FAO is working closely with the Government of Sri Lanka, particularly the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation and the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources. FAO also co-leads the Food Security and Livelihoods Sector alongside the World Food Programme and coordinates its response with the Sri Lanka Humanitarian Priorities Plan – Cyclone Ditwah.

To date, USD 400 000 has been received, leaving a 97.6 percent funding gap. Without urgent donor support, hundreds of thousands of households risk missing an entire cultivation season, with lasting consequences for food security, nutrition and rural resilience.

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Royal Navy of Oman Vessel “SADH” departs island

Published

4 hours ago

2026/02/13

Priyan

The Royal Navy of Oman Vessel “SADH” which arrived in Sri Lanka for replenishment purpose, departed the island on 12 Feb 26.

In accordance with naval tradition, the Sri Lanka Navy extended a customary farewell to the departing ship.

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“We will not make decisions for rural level schools while sitting in Colombo” – PM

Published

6 hours ago

2026/02/13

Priyan

The Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that aligning with the development activities carried out under the new education reforms, decisions at the rural level will not be taken from Colombo and plans should be sent based on the requirements of the rural level through the District Coordination Committees by structural committees. She further noted that all officials, from the Ministry of Education down to the school level, must commit to working efficiently and with a human-centered approach.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing a discussion held with education authorities of the Hambantota District on Thursday [February 12] at the auditorium of the Hambantota District Secretariat regarding the new education reforms and prevailing issues in the education sector.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister provided an opportunity for education authorities including chief prelates of pirivenas, zonal education directors, teacher advisors, and principals to present the challenges they face and officials raised concerns including salary disparities among principals, developing school infrastructure, issues arising from the division between national and provincial schools, and uplifting pirivena education.

Further elaborating, Prime Minister stated:

“The new education reforms were initiated from 2025 through dialogue, consultations, and the collection of necessary data. As officials, you have extended your support to us during this process. We have embarked on a difficult and long journey, and we look forward to your continued cooperation.

We initiated these reforms in response to a strong social demand. Many have attempted such reforms at different times. Within our political vision, we understood clearly that if this country is to be rebuilt, an educational transformation is essential. The human resource is the most valuable resource of this country and it should be nurtured properly.

Solutions to many of the crises our country faces lie within the education system. Addressing the issues in economic challenges, social issues, drug abuse, violence, the breakdown of political culture, corruption, waste, and even the deterioration of human relationships all lie within the education.

In order to achieve the transformation we envision as a government, that an education transformation is necessary.

This education system should focus on reducing the pressures within the system, minimize school dropouts, increase employability, and instill confidence in children about their future.

There are disparities within the school system, between rural and urban schools, national and provincial schools, and difficult schools. This should not happen. All children must have equal opportunities.
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Decisions regarding the establishment of schools or expansion of classes should not be political decisions. They must be decisions taken through Structural Committees. Those representatives understand their divisions, village economies, and population dynamics. Based on your decisions and assessments of needs, prepare the plans, discuss them with the District Coordination Committees, and submit them to us. We will then take steps to provide the necessary allocations and other support. We will not make decisions for the rural level while sitting in Colombo.

We are taking steps to minimize salary disparities. A Cabinet paper regarding the salary anomalies of principals has already been prepared for submission. Steps are also being taken to introduce new reforms in pirivena education through the Pirivena Committee of the Ministry of Education. We require the support of the chief prelates in this regard.

A significant number of teachers turn to human rights due to delays caused by inefficiency. Therefore, all officials from the Ministry of Education down to the schools must commit to working efficiently and in a humane manner”

The discussion was attended by Chief prelates of pirivenas, deputy ministers, Members of Parliament, zonal directors, principals, and other education sector officials.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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Landslide Early Warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya

Published

9 hours ago

2026/02/13

Priyan

The Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya valid from 06:00 hrs on 13.02.2026 to 06:00 hrs on 14.02.2026

Accordingly,
Level II [AMBER] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Walapane and Nildandahinna in the Nuwara Eliya district.

Level I [YELLOW] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Pathahewheta in the Kandy district.