80% of Sri Lankan families eating less or cheap food

COLOMBO (News 1st); The United Nations says more than 80 percent of Sri Lankan families are eating less or cheap food.

The World Food Programme in a monthly report said more than 80 percent of Sri Lankan families are eating cheap or limited food, and this has raised the risk of malnutrition.

The report said reduced paddy harvests from two consecutive seasons will increase food insecurity.

It added that the price of imported rice has risen by 20% due to the currency depreciation and the cost of local rice varieties have increased by 6% due to the supply shortage and high cost of production.