Colombo to run out of food by September, citizens asked to grow food crops in home gardens

Colombo: Warning that Colombo will run out of food by September this year in the wake of Sri Lanka's economic crisis, Mayor Rosy Senanayake said the Colombo Municipal Council will start cultivating essential food crops in 600 acres of land within the city shortly.

The Daily Mirror on Friday quoted Senanayake as saying that the municipal body was planning to start an agriculture project to grow crops while city dwellers will be encouraged to grow essential food crops in their home gardens.

“Around 60 per cent of Colombo population who are low-income earners will be affected by the food shortage. I do not intend to frighten anyone but only want to inform and prepare people for the impending crisis,” Senanayake said.

She said arrangements have been made to open soup kitchens within the city and to provide cash vouchers worth Rs 3,000 for the low-income earners.

“We are currently carrying out a dialogue with World Food Programme and other donor agencies to ensure food security of city dwellers,” she said.

The Mayor said that around 350 tonnes of food was wasted in the Colombo city daily. "We want to reduce this so that it will help ensure food security in the city."

Sri Lanka's worst economic crisis has led widespread shortages of food, fuel and medicines and triggered intense anti-government anger. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned last month amid an outbreak of violence. (UNI)