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Rising prices spark struggle to feed children-by Buwanaka S. Perera Source:Ceylontoday The economic crisis of 2022 marked the most severe downturn Sri Lanka experienced since gaining independence. It ushered in widespread price hikes across various essentials, including vital medicines, school supplies, fuel and a slew of taxes. With food inflation skyrocketing to an unprecedented 95%, the crisis profoundly impacted food prices and the nation’s food security.  The policy banning chemical fertilisers, imposed by the ousted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, exacerbated the agricultural sector’s woes, leading to consecutive harvest failures with yields plummeting by over 50%, further undermining Sri Lanka’s food security. As access to food dwindled, foreign reserves depleted and the government defaulted on foreign debts, many ordinary Sri Lankans struggled to secure three meals a day, with children bearing the brunt of the crisis. Has the situation changed in 2024? According to a recent report by the World Food Program ...