Sri Lanka opposition laments child malnutrition as farmers protected by Rs 300 grain tax

ECONOMYNEXT – Rohini Kaviratne, an opposition member of Samagi Jana Balawegaya, lamented child malnutrition amid high food prices, while state Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya introduced a bill to revoke import licenses for major grains but retain import duties.

According to a UNICEF report, a third of children in the country suffer from malnutrition.

“According to this report, a third of our children are suffering from acute malnutrition,” Kavirante told parliament on Wednesday.

“One reason is food insecurity; there is no access to a nutritious meal because of the crisis and the economic collapse.”

“The highest numbers are seen in Nuwara Eliya District, on plantations. What matters is not who this affects, but that we are becoming a malnourished nation.”

Education Minister Susil Premajayantha responded that mid-day meal in schools would be extended to address this issue.

According to opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, malnutrition in children starts at pre-school age, when the brain begins to develop.

“It is not enough to just provide school meals. We need price controls on essential foods. The government has failed to curb the egg mafia and reduce the price of an egg, the cheapest source of protein.”

“If the children are malnourished, what about their mothers?” Kaviratne said. “If they cannot feed their children, sometimes mothers go without (lunu tikak ihagena kanne).”

In the US, Kamala Harris is also proposing price controls after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell cut interest rates with printed money, triggering the highest inflation in 40 years.

Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said food prices have fallen compared to two years ago when the economic stabilisation plan was implemented.

“When I was thrown out of the government in January 2022, a kilo of green chilli cost Rs 1,200, now it is Rs 400. Production has increased, inflation has come down. We have to move forward from here.”

“The malnutrition report is from 2023 and is based on inflation data from previous years.”

Sri Lanka has been levying high import duties for decades to protect farmers and ensure self-sufficiency.

State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said he would bring regulations to revoke import licenses for several essential grains, which have given rise to a black market and corrupt activities.

“The permits were meant to protect local producers,” Siyambalapitiya said, “but we saw a huge black market emerging.”

“Of the total quantity of impatience, 50 percent had to be imported, of the quantity of green gram, 35 percent had to be imported and of the cowpea, 80 percent had to be imported,” he said.

The licenses were revoked and an import duty was imposed to ‘protect’ the farmers’ profits.

“A tax of Rs 40 on green gram was increased to Rs 300 per kilo. The tax of Rs 70 on cowpea became Rs 300.”

In Sri Lanka, prices for proteins, especially poultry products, dairy products and milk, are high due to import protection on maize.

Rice is also taxed at Rs 65 per kilo to protect farmers. (Colombo/04-08-2024)