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Malnutrition to rise due to increased poverty and high food prices

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4 years ago

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Malnutrition will rise in the face of increased poverty and high food prices, the Sri Lanka Medical Nutrition Association, Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka, Dieticians’ Association and the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) People’s Forum say.

Therefore, they urge the authorities to stabilise the gains achieved in nutrition status of the vulnerable in Sri Lanka, especially of children less than 5 years of age.

The associations say that there are three measurements of malnutrition that the world uses to compare the nutrition status of a country and the various regions. These measurements are assessed among children less than 5 years as all children grow in the same pattern and speed (trend) at this age as genetic differences do not come into play. Children under 5 therefore are considered as the sentinel or observation group of the whole of the population nutrition status. Any change in the diet is quickly reflected among children especially of this age. The measurements are weight-for-age, weight-for-height (thinness – wasting) and height-for-age (shortness – stunting)

Sri Lanka is currently the country with the least stunted children under 5 years in the South Asian Region with a prevalence of 11.5% (Stunting denotes low height for age as a result of chronic malnutrition). This situation was seen just before the current economic crisis.

Many of the South Asian countries have a stunting prevalence of over 30%. It is important to compare the prevalence of nutrition status among countries, at the same time, in order to have a level playing field.

Over the past 30 years,stunting or shortness, also known as chronic or long term malnutrition measured as height-for-age has continued to reduce, thus seeing a marked improvement among children in this age group. This improvement is due to the fact that the other form of childhood malnutrition, which is wasting or thinness, also known as acute or short term malnutrition which is measured by weight-for-height, has been arrested, before it converts into stunting or loss of height.

This positive trend in reducing chronic malnutrition can be attributed to the following:

1) Successive governments, whatever their ills, have been committed to supporting public health programs that have arrested wasting at the right time before it converts to stunting

2) The status of food and nutrition security not being compromised to an extent that is detrimental to nutrition status of the most vulnerable such as under 5s. This positive situation has been brought about by supplementary and therapeutic feeding for children under 5, micronutrient supplementation for pregnant and lactating mothers and children of this age group and beyond, growth monitoring and promotion meticulously done, food assistance programs and agricultural assistance to farmers to name a few of the interventions.

However, it is expected that malnutrition will rise in the face of increased poverty and high food prices brought about by the current crisis. Currently the levels of poverty have risen bringing it to 14% from a previous value of 6.7%. (Humanitarian Needs and Priorities Plan – UN Joint Assessment Sri Lanka, June to Sept 2022).This amounts to 700,000 families out of approximately 4.9 million, which are “nutritionally at risk”.

There should be a systematic program of intervention especially targeting these households and their vulnerable family members without piecemeal approaches on the part of the state and non-state actors.

The Sri Lanka Medical Nutrition Association, the Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka, the Dieticians Association and the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) People’s Forum strongly urges all entities working on food and nutrition in Sri Lanka to act fast and in a coordinated approach to arrest the deterioration of these families.

Development organizations and the media are strongly urged to use accurate data and provide a balanced picture, when giving media exposure to the malnutrition status of Sri Lankans especially children. It is important to cite accurate current figures obtained from reputed organizations when communicating with the media.

The following interventions are recommended by the above associations:

1. Immediate supply of therapeutic food to the ≈27,000 children under 5 years who are severely malnourished.

2. Support by way of supplementary feeding for the ≈207,000 moderately malnourished children under 5 years.

3. Accelerate the existing mechanism to early identification and correction of growth faltering of children under five years to prevent acute malnutrition.

3. Household food and agriculture support should be provided to families of children who have begun to falter in their growth in order to prevent them reducing into the pile of the undernourished. Supplementary food is also important for these children. These growth faltering children amount to approximately 500,000, as seen through regular growth monitoring reports. It is also important to identify these children on time, before they start on a downward curve.

4. Support the popularizing of healthy and creative menus which include mixed curries and dishes, one dish meals and healthy snacks which are less cost intensive and easy to prepare.

5. Open “Sahana Salas” or shops which sell cheaper food of good value which will be accessible to all income groups.

The above-mentioned associations all have as our objective good nutrition and health of our citizens and we are available to collaborate with partners who come forward.


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Navy seize 323kg of heroin from fishing vessel in southwestern seas

Published

2 hours ago

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2026/04/2

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In a decisive strike against the drug menace, the Sri Lanka Navy intercepted a local multiday fishing trawler carrying a staggering haul of suspected narcotics in the seas southwest of the island.

This operation, carried out under the national mission “A Nation United”, resulted in the apprehension of six suspects (06) and the seizure of the trawler used to smuggle the illicit substance.

Following the mid-sea interception, the trawler was escorted to the Dikkowita Fisheries Harbour on the morning of 01 Apr 2026. A meticulous inspection conducted by the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) subsequently confirmed that the sacks (19) aboard contained more than 323kg of heroin.

The Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, accompanied by the Commander Western Naval Area and the Director General Operations, visited the Dikowita harbour to personally  inspect the drug haul.

Addressing the media, the Navy Commander emphasized that these intensified surveillance efforts are carried out under the direct guidance of the Ministry of Defence. He highlighted that the Navy and the Sri Lanka Coast Guard have strategically coordinated operations across the island’s maritime zones to disrupt trafficking routes and ensure national security.

The Commander of the Navy stated that through surveillance operations conducted this year, the Navy has intercepted local multi-day fishing trawlers attempting to bring illegal substances. This has enabled the seizure of a large quantity of narcotics intended to be smuggled into Sri Lanka.

Furthermore, based on foreign intelligence received by the Sri Lanka Navy, continuous surveillance operations carried out off the Beruwala sea area over the past few days led to the recent (01 April) successful operation, he opined.

The Naval Chief stated that so far this year, 07 local multi-day fishing trawlers have been apprehended by the Navy. The street value of the narcotics seized from these boats is estimated to be approximately Rs. 40 billion.

The 06 suspects, the fishing trawler, and the seized heroin were handed over to the Police Narcotic Bureau for comprehensive investigation and onward legal proceedings.

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PM opens ‘Silver Age Center,’ an Elder Care, Training and Research Centre built with modern facilities in Kataragama

Published

5 hours ago

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2026/04/2

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Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that a society must be built where all senior citizens can lead lives of safety, freedom, happiness, health, mobility, and spiritual well-being, with their rights safeguarded. She further emphasized that this is a responsibility shared by both the government and society.

The Prime Minister made these remarks on Tuesday (31st of March) while virtually participating in the opening of the ’Silver Age Center,’ an Elder Care, Training and Research Centre constructed with modern facilities in Kataragama. The event was held at the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, located in the new Sethsiripaya building.

During the event, the Prime Minister was presented with a draft of regulations and guidelines related to the regulation of institutions that provide residential care for senior citizens, by representatives of the National Council for Senior Citizens.

Expressing her views further, the Prime Minister  stated:

“This project, which commenced in 2022, had been halted due to various reasons. However, we have now resumed the project and are pleased to hand it over to the public today.

One of the key commitments of our policy is to create a society that ensures safety and protects the rights of all. Everyone, from the young to the elderly, deserves to enjoy these rights, freedom, and happiness.

A significant portion of our population is rapidly transitioning into senior age. However, the age of 60 still represents an active stage of life where individuals can contribute meaningfully to society and the economy. Senior citizens have needs, as well as abilities and valuable experience. We must recognize that they can continue to engage with society and remain active contributors.

Institutions that provide services for senior citizens play a vital role, and maintaining them is a social responsibility. It is essential to ensure the rights and provision of necessary services for all senior citizens, whether they live within families, independently, or in institutional settings.

We must ensure access to healthcare, transportation, lifelong learning, freedom, happiness, and spiritual well-being for senior citizens, while safeguarding their rights.

We should move beyond the traditional concept of ’elders homes’ and instead develop institutions that cater to the diverse needs of senior citizens, enabling them to spend their later years with dignity and respect.”

The opening of the ’Silver Age Center,’ Elder Care, Training and Research Centre, was carried out by Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, R. M. Jayawardhana, along with regional public representatives and government officials. The occasion was attended virtually by the Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, Dr. Upali Pannilage; Secretary to the Ministry, Sampath Manthrinayake; and other ministry officials.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

6 hours ago

on

2026/04/2

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Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 01 April 2026, valid for 02 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district.

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.

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