Nimal Lanza led committee to look into mitigating a food crisis

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed a committee headed by Parliamentarian Nimal Lanza to look into mitigating a food crisis.

The committee has been instructed to table a plan within two weeks.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said it is his policy to ensure no one is in hunger amidst a possible food crisis.

Speaking at a meeting of the Committee on Food Security at the Prime Minister’s Office this morning (17), the Prime Minister said although the food crisis could directly affect 4-5 million Sri Lankans, steps will be taken to address the crisis.

The Prime Minister instructed officials to pay more attention to children and adults in particular.

The Prime Minister further said the 225 divisions should be handed over to the Members of Parliament and the rest to top officials including Secretaries of Ministries and the private sector to provide leadership to develop and reach targets of 336 Divisional Secretariats in the country under the food security programme.

It was proposed to recruit graduates from the Divisional Secretariats for this purpose.

The Prime Minister instructed officials to prioritise providing food, gas and fuel to the fishing community.

Special emphasis was placed on food security, especially for children’s homes, nursing homes, and homes for persons with disabilities.

The Prime Minister also stressed on the need for a medium and long term plan for a modern agricultural system that will create a regionally competitive market and called for it to be formulated urgently.

Former Ministers Sagala Ratnayake, Tissa Attanayake, Patali Champika, Mano Ganeshan, Digambaran, Rishard Bathiudeen, Navin Dissanayake and former Parliamentarian Saman Ratnapriya were present at the discussion along with Ministers Mahinda Amaraweera, Nalin Fernando, Ramesh Pathirana and Prasanna Ranatunga.  While former Provincial Council Member Sendil Thondaman was also present.