The government has launched an initiative to develop a country-specific Food Security Index tailored to Sri Lanka’s unique needs, with completion targeted within the next three months. The move aims to address shortcomings in global indices, such as the Global Food Security Index (GFSI), which officials say fail to fully capture local conditions and challenges, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.
The new index is expected to improve the accuracy of data used in policymaking and help identify national priorities for food security planning over the next five years. Officials noted that current data is often inadequate or imprecise, hindering the creation of effective strategies.
To initiate the process, a workshop titled “Identifying a Suitable Food Security Index for Sri Lanka and Formulating a Strategic Plan” was held today (June 17) at the Colombo City Centre. The event was organized by the Food Security Expert Committee, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP).
Senior Additional Secretary to the President Kapila Gunaratne, delivering opening remarks said that a precise, localized index is essential for ensuring economic stability and national food security. The workshop addressed four key dimensions of food security—availability, accessibility, utilization, and stability—and how these can be integrated into the proposed index.
Participants included members of the Food Security Expert Committee, such as Senior Professors Buddhi Marambe and Jeevika Weerahewa, along with representatives from government agencies, academic institutions, the FAO, the WFP, and the private sector. (Newswire)