With farms destroyed, supply chains crippled and families struggling to access basic food items, Sri Lanka moves toward importing frozen vegetables to prevent a worsening shortage.
The government has decided to import frozen vegetables that meet the standards of the Department of Agriculture, according to Commissioner General of Essential Services B. K. Prabhat Chandrakeerthi. He said this decision was taken after many districts reported severe difficulties in securing essential food supplies during the ongoing disaster situation.
The Commissioner General said that lists of essential food items and goods submitted by District Secretaries will be released to the media. This will allow suppliers to directly contact District and Divisional Secretaries and deliver needed items quickly. He added that discussions will also be held with Litro Gas Company to resolve any problems in LP gas distribution and ensure continuous supply.
To provide medium term relief, District Secretaries have been instructed to send information from Divisional Secretaries and other government institutions to the Prime Ministerโs Office. The Prime Ministerโs Secretariat will then publish these requirements in an accessible format so that local and international donors can clearly identify what goods are needed and where they must be delivered.
This mechanism aims to prevent unnecessary items from entering the system, ensure essential needs are identified accurately and deliver aid to the correct locations. Goods received from abroad will be accepted under the Disaster Management Center, with customs duty concessions and tax relief provided. Officials say this approach will help streamline disaster management activities and deliver faster relief to affected communities.
