• Top economist cites weak econ. growth

Towards the end of this year, food insecurity in the country is more likely to increase, claimed University of Peradeniya Department of Economics and Statistics Professor Wasantha Athukorala.

In Sri Lanka, more than 7.5 million (33 % of the total number of families) are facing an acute food problem (food insecurity), per the latest study conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations. Also, Sri Lanka is in the 79th place in the severely food insecure list. Sri Lanka is in the 20th place among the 23 food insecure countries in the Asia Pacific region. 

“In 2019, we were in the 66th place. Therefore, it is clear that the country’s food insecurity situation has increased during the last four years (2019-2023)”. 

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (12), he said: “Mainly, this is because the economic growth compared to other countries, is weak. It is evident that the economy of the country is at a negative level, according to the International Monetary Fund predictions. In the end of this year (2023), food insecurity of the country is more likely to increase because of this reason.” 

He further said, citing the Ministry of Health, that 43% of children below the age of five years were suffering from malnutrition. 

“Hence, it is evident that the health cost will be unbearable for the ministry according to these reports. Thus, out of the 5.7 million families in the country, 3.7 million families have requested some kind of assistance from the Government. A total of 65% of the total number of families is facing serious problems in meeting the cost of living, and about 85% of the people in some provinces are suffering from food insecurity.”