Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe says that a scientific and planned cultivation process should be launched.
A discussion on food security in Sri Lanka, which is facing a global food shortage, was held at the Prime Minister’s Office yesterday (23), where food crops, livestock and export crops were discussed.
In addition, the issue of fertilizers, seeds and fuel was discussed at length and the Prime Minister gave instructions on the short and long term measures to be taken.
It was revealed at the discussion that the monthly demand for rice is 200,000 metric tons and that the current stock of rice in the country is sufficient only until mid-September.
The Prime Minister stressed the need for a scientific and planned cultivation process at this juncture to alleviate the possible food shortages as the next season’s harvest could be in February, especially focusing on the supply of food to urban areas.
A committee headed by Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva was appointed to look into the matter. A committee comprising Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, Parliamentarian Madura Vithanage, Parliamentarian Madura Vithanage, Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake, Parliamentarian Mano Ganeshan representing the Opposition and former Minister Vajira Abeywardena has been appointed to look into the cultivation war and food supply in the Western and Southern Provinces.
It is also stated that the former Secretary to the Treasury has been appointed to collect data on the amount of food currently available in the country and to make recommendations.