The World Food Programme has reported a significant increase in food insecurity in Sri Lanka, with the percentage of households unable to meet essential food needs rising from 14 percent in 2024 to 20 percent in 2026. If current price trends persist, an additional 1.3 million individuals, including nearly 300,000 urban poor, may soon struggle to afford basic food items. Many households are resorting to coping strategies such as selling productive assets and cutting back on education and health expenditures, which could jeopardize their long-term resilience. The report highlights the emergence of new vulnerable groups, particularly among urban populations and those still recovering from the Ditwah cyclone, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced data systems and adaptive social protection measures to mitigate the escalating food security crisis.
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