To strengthen food security and ensure policy decisions are aligned with national needs, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands, and Irrigation K.D. Lalkantha, along with Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe, convened the fourth meeting of the Food Policy and Security Committee yesterday (March 3rd) at the Parliament Complex.
The discussions focused on ensuring the availability of essential food items at affordable prices during the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year season. Measures such as maintaining sufficient stock levels were also reviewed to enhance food security across the country.
It was emphasized that these measures must be implemented while safeguarding the interests of consumers, farmers, and producers.
A key decision made during the meeting was the approval of maize imports for animal feed after April 1. Minister Lalkantha stressed the need for a new import mechanism but instructed that the existing system remain in place until a new framework is introduced.
Additionally, the meeting highlighted the importance of protecting citizens’ right to diverse food choices and ensuring access to high-quality food products.
The Food Policy and Security Committee is committed to implementing measures that align with the government’s policy of providing safe, healthy, and sustainable food for all citizens.
Among the attendees were Secretary to the Prime Minister G.P. Saputhanthri, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Kapila Janaka Bandara, and other key ministry officials who are members of the committee.
