Cabinet nod to re-establish Food Policy Committee to address cost-of-living and supply chain issues

Thursday, 17 October 2024 01:53 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to re-establish the Food Policy Committee, originally established in 2022.

This Committee is tasked with ensuring the continuous availability of essential food items in the market and controlling the cost of living.

The move comes as part of the Government’s efforts to mitigate rising food prices and supply chain disruptions, which have been a pressing concern for many Sri Lankans. The Committee will adopt a coordinated approach across various Ministries to address supply shortages and price stability, making decisions that balance both market demand and public welfare.

The re-established Food Policy Committee will include key high-ranking officials from a wide range of Ministries:

Secretary to the President
Secretary to the Prime Minister
Finance, Economic Development, Policy Compilation, Planning and Tourism Ministry Secretary
Power and Energy Ministry Secretary
Agriculture, Land, Livestock, Irrigation, Fishery, and Water Resources Ministry Secretary
Justice, Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Council, Local Government and Labour Ministry Secretary
Trade Commerce, Food Protection, Cooperative Development, Industry, and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry Secretary
Health Ministry Secretary
Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation Ministry Secretary
Environment, Wildlife, Forest Resources, Water Supply, Plantation, and Community Infrastructure Facilities Ministry Secretary

The Committee will be responsible for coordinating policies across these departments, aiming to prevent food shortages and implement long-term solutions to stabilise the cost of essential goods for Sri Lankans.

This reactivation of the Food Policy Committee underscores the Government’s commitment to addressing the economic hardships faced by the population amidst a challenging economic environment.