Developing a Unique Food Security Index for Sri Lanka

The Sri Lankan government is currently prioritising the development of a country-specific Food Security Index. The goal is to complete this initiative within the next three months.

This tailored index aims better to reflect Sri Lanka’s unique food security landscape. It addresses the limitations of global indices like the Global Food Security Index (GFSI), which have been criticised for failing to capture the nuances of the local context.

Policymakers have also noted that existing data is often insufficient or imprecise, making it challenging to develop effective strategies.

The proposed index will identify key national priorities and guide food security policy over the next five years.

As a first step, a workshop titled “Identifying a Suitable Food Security Index for Sri Lanka and Formulating a Strategic Plan” was held at the Colombo City Centre. Organised by the Food Security Expert Committee in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP), the event brought together experts and stakeholders from across the sector.

Senior Additional Secretary to the President Kapila Gunaratne delivered the opening remarks, emphasising the importance of the initiative. Developing a precise, country-specific index is a vital step towards ensuring both economic stability and national food security. The workshop focussed on the four key dimensions of food security: availability, accessibility, utilisation, and stability. It explored how these can be incorporated into a comprehensive and practical national index.

Participants included members of the Food Security Expert Committee, such as Senior Professors Buddhi Marambe and Jeevika Weerahewa, along with representatives from various government agencies, academic institutions, the FAO, the WFP, and the private sector.