Middle East conflict: No immediate threat to food security, Govt. assures

• SL not reliant on Middle East for essential commodities
• Protracted conflict to have indirect repercussions
• Detailed study yet to be undertaken

There are no immediate or direct risks to Sri Lanka’s food security arising from the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Co-operative Development has stated.

However, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has called for a comprehensive study to assess the potential impact on the Sri Lankan economy should the conflict continue for an extended period.

Speaking to The Sunday Morning Business, Trade Ministry Secretary K.A. Vimalenthirarajah noted that the ongoing conflict did not pose a direct threat to Sri Lanka’s food security.

“We are not reliant on the Middle East for essential commodities,” he said.

The Secretary explained that while wheat flour imports from Turkey could face some disruption due to the conflict, the quantities involved were not substantial. He claimed that local producers were capable of meeting demand, and if necessary, Sri Lanka could source wheat from alternative suppliers. 

However, he added that such measures would only be required if the conflict persisted over a prolonged period.

Vimalenthirarajah also observed that a protracted conflict could have indirect repercussions for Sri Lanka. In such a scenario, the Food Security Committee would take the necessary steps to mitigate any emerging risks.

Meanwhile, speaking to The Sunday Morning Business, Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce, and Food Security R.M. Jayawardana revealed that the President had convened a meeting on Wednesday (4) with the heads of several key Government institutions to discuss the potential economic implications of the conflict and the mitigation strategies that may be required.

During the meeting, the President had directed that a detailed study be undertaken to evaluate the possible fallout for the Sri Lankan economy if the war in the Middle East continued for an extended period.

“We are still in the early days; it has only been a couple of days. They are expected to submit a report outlining how the Sri Lankan economy could be affected if the war continues for a prolonged period,” Jayawardana said.

He added that the study would be conducted by the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance in collaboration with secretaries and officials from other relevant ministries.

Source: The morning