News

Over 80%of Lankan families eating less or cheap food

Published

4 years ago

2022/06/15

Economic crisis:

More than 80 percent of Lankan families are eating less, or cheap food, owing to the prevailing crisis, says a report published by the World Food Programme on Lanka.

The report said more than 80 percent of Lankan families are eating cheap or limited food, and this has raised the risk of malnutrition.

“Based on a joint WFP and Department of National Planning rapid assessment, more than 80 per- cent of households are eating less preferred, cheaper food and/or limiting portion sizes, due to the rising prices, and reduced purchasing power. Households are consuming less diversified and nutritious diets, which fuels the risk of higher rates of malnutrition,” the report says.

It says reduced paddy harvests, from two consecutive seasons, will increase food insecurity.

The study points out that the price of imported rice has risen by 20 percent, due to the currency depreciation, and the cost of local rice varieties have increased by six percent due to the supply shortage and high cost of production.

This report, released on June 08, contains an analysis of food prices and commodity prices, in Sri Lanka, in April 2022,

including price trends, inflation and key issues, within the current economic context.

It says: Continuation of escalating fuel prices and fuel shortages is anticipated with an impact across sectors, including food systems.

Poor performance of the ongoing Yala paddy cultivation is expected, impacted by fuel shortages and limited availability to fertilisers and pesticides. Reduced paddy yield, from two consecutive seasons, will likely drive an increase in household food insecurity.

Despite reaching record highs in April, there is likelihood of increasing inflation in the coming month as fuel prices continue to rise.

Overall inflation in April increased to 33.8%, up from 21.5% in March.

Food inflation accelerated to 45.1% in April year-on-year, up by +10.5% from March. This was driven by increased prices of rice, dhal, sugar and milk powder. Non-food inflation increased to 23.9% from 14.5% in March.

The Global Food Price Index demonstrates a small downward trend. April’s decline in the FFPI was driven by a considerable decline in the vegetable oil sub-index and a modest decline in the cereal price sub-index.

The price of imported rice has risen by 20% due to the currency depreciation. Cost of local rice varieties have increased by 6% due to the supply shortage and high cost of production.

The price of red lentils rose to a record high, +10% compared to last month and up by +170% from the same time last year.

The report has been prepared by the Research, Assessment and Monitoring unit of the World Food Programme, Sri Lanka. The analysis is based on data from various information source, including the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute, Department of Census and Statistics, and FAO.

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Flood warning issued to the Divisional Secretariat Divisions of Ganga Ihala Korale, Udapalatha, Doluwa, Udunuwara, Yatinuwara, Gangawata Korale, Harispattuwa, and Pathadumbara

Published

11 hours ago

2026/09/20

Priyan

Due to heavy rainfall received in the upper catchment areas of the Mahaweli River over the past few hours, there is a risk of minor flooding in the low-lying areas surrounding the Mahaweli River within the Divisional Secretariat Divisions of Ganga Ihala Korale, Udapalatha, Doluwa, Udunuwara, Yatinuwara, Gangawata Korale, Harispattuwa, and Pathadumbara.Residents living in the above mentioned areas and motorists using roads passing through these areas are urged to exercise extreme caution and remain highly vigilant regarding the prevailing situation.

Furthermore, residents living in close proximity to the Mahaweli River in these areas are advised to remain highly alert to the situation and take all necessary precautions to protect themselves from any potential flooding.The relevant disaster management authorities are requested to take all necessary measures in response to this situation.

Latest News

Landslide Red Alerts issued to the districts of Kandy, Kegalle and Nuwara Eliya

Published

11 hours ago

2026/09/20

Priyan

The National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide Red Alerts to the districts of Kandy, Kegalle and Nuwara Eliya effective from 14:00 hrs on 20.09.2026 To 14:00 hrs on 21.09.2026

Accordingly,
LEVEL III [RED] Land Slide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Pasbage Korale in the Kandy district, Dehiowita, Aranayake, Deraniyagala, Mawanella and Yatiyanthota in the Kegalle district and Kothmale West, Kotmale East, Ambagamuwa and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district

LEVEL II [AMBER] Land Slide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Padukka in the Colombo district, Nagoda, Thawalama and Neluwa in the Galle district, Bulathsinhala, Palindanuwara, Walallawita and Agalawatta in the Kalutara district, Ganga Ihala Korale in the Kandy district, Bulathkohupitiya and Kegalle in the Kegalle district, Akuressa and Pitabeddara in the Matara district, Thalawakele in the Nuwara Eliya district and Pelmadulla, Ratnapura, Ayagama, Kuruwita and Ratnapura in the Ratnapura district.

LEVEL I [YELLOW] Land Slide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Seethawaka in the Colombo district, Niyagama and Baddegama in the Galle district, Mirigama in the Gampaha district, Ingiriya in the Kalutara district, Udapalatha and Yatinuwara in the Kandy district, Galigamuwa, Warakapola and Ruwanwella in the Kegalle district, Kotapola, Pasgoda and Athuraliya in the Matara district, and Eheliyagoda, Kalawana and Elapatha in the Ratnapura district.

News

Development projects can deliver results to the people more quickly when the political authority and the public service work together towards a common goal – PM

Published

13 hours ago

2026/09/20

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that development projects can deliver results to the people more quickly when the political authority and the public service work together towards a common, people-oriented objective.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in a discussion held on Friday [September 18] at the Western Province Council Auditorium to review the progress of the development project to rehabilitate Rathmalana Kandawala Road and the drainage system on either side of the road, within the Dehiwala–Mount Lavinia Municipal Council limits in the Colombo District.

The project, which commenced on September 10, 2026, is scheduled to be completed before June 30, 2027. Implemented by the Provincial Road Development Authority (PRDA), the project includes the construction of a bridge at a cost of Rs. 64 million, the rehabilitation of the drainage system at a cost of Rs. 930 million, and the rehabilitation of the road at a cost of Rs. 115 million.

The Prime Minister also paid special attention to the progress of the responsibilities assigned to the Western Province Council, the Irrigation Department and the Ratmalana Divisional Secretariat in accordance with decisions taken at the previous committee meeting. Attention was also given to the current status of the plans being carried out by the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLRDC), as well as the construction and maintenance activities being undertaken by the Provincial Road Development Authority (PRDA).

Commending the expedite and commendable progress of the project, the Prime Minister particularly appreciated the commitment demonstrated by officials of the relevant government institutions to work in close coordination with one another and in collaboration with the political authority.

The Prime Minister also emphasised the importance of taking measures well in advance to control flooding and minimise its impact on Colombo and several other districts in view of the rainy weather that may affect the Western Province during the latter part of this year.

The meeting was attended by the Chairman of the Colombo District Coordinating Committee and Member of Parliament Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi, Chairperson of the Ratmalana Divisional Coordinating Committee and Member of Parliament Samanmalee Gunasinghe, Chairman of the Roads Sub-Committee of the Colombo District Coordinating Committee Dewananda Suraweera, Mayor of the Dehiwala–Mount Lavinia Municipal Council Parakum Shantha, Chief Secretary of the Western Province K.G. Pradeep Pushpakumara, along with a number of government officials.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]