G7 alliance on global food crisis has offered SL US dollars 14 million for food : Prez

• some 6 million people in SL are suffering from malnutrition. 
• Those who are suffering from malnutrition could be as high as 7.5 million people 

By Yohan Perera  

Whilst revealing that G7 alliance on global food crisis has offered Sri Lanka US dollars 14 million to spend for food, Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said there is much to be done to avoid third world countries such as Sri Lanka falling down on their knees in the face of global situation.

Speaking during an international conference on food security , the Acting President said high inflation had put food out of reach of people.   
“ It is said some 6 million people in Sri Lanka are suffering from malnutrition. Other reports I have say those who are suffering from malnutrition could be as high as 7.5 million people. Sri Lanka’s average paddy production is usually 24million metric ton. However production in 2021 has been 16 million metric tons. Therefore Sri Lanka will have to import one third of its need of rice. The exchange rate crisis prevent this. Sri Lanka is also faced with fuel supply issue. The GL global alliance on food security of which World Bank is also a member had offered us dollars 14 billion to acquire food. We are grateful to them. 

Government has also embarked on a food security programme.,” the President said.   

“ Our issue in Sri Lanka is party self made and partly due to global crisis. The war in Ukraine and the sanctions imposed by EU is affecting us. EU says sanctions will not affect us. However it will push third world nations such as us to our knees. 

However EU is not the only one to be blamed. Russia also must call for a ceasefire. Both Russia and Ukraine must call for a ceasefire and resolve issues peacefully,” he added.