President discusses food security plan for north

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has discussed a food security plan to be implemented in the northern province.

The President discussed the plan during the District Development Progress Review Meeting held at the Vavuniya Town Hall on Saturday

“It is clear to us that the government's program for food security has been implemented in Vavuniya, Mannar, and Mullaitivu Districts. Four officers from each Divisional Secretariat have been appointed for the implementation of the food security program’, he said.

The liquid milk industry would be developed in the Northern Province under Indian aid, he said.

“ Particularly, you were called on this occasion to raise awareness of the food shortage in the country and to discuss the implementation of the food security program. We hope to address the imminent food shortage issue in the country. It is planned to continue this program until the end of 2023.”, he said.

“We will consider later if this program is required to continue. A global food shortage may be imminent and this food security program is important to protect Sri Lanka in the face of this imminent danger. Africa is already suffering from food shortages,” he added.

“The country’s Maha season cultivation is successful and if other crops also achieved similar success, we can face the food shortage easily. Apart from that, we have to control malnutrition and protect the yield. We should take measures to minimize wastage during harvesting. We would strengthen the food storage process and supply them to customers. Vavuniya and Mannar Districts have a big responsibility in securing the available surplus food,” he said.

Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda, Urban Development and Housing State Minister Tenuka Vidanagamage, Rural Development State Minister Kader Masthan, Parliamentarians Selvam Adaikalanathan, Rishad Bathuideen, Charles Nirmalanathan, Kulasingham Thileeban, Northern Province Governor Jeevan Jeevan Thiagarajah, Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake, District secretaries to Vavuniya , Mullaitivu and Mannar districts and other government officials were present at the occasion.