Sri Lanka Multi-Dimensional Crisis Situation Report No. 13 (15 March 2023)

HIGHLIGHTS

• As of 15 March 2023, 2.9 million people have received assistance through the HNP.

• The Government of Japan has contributed an additional US$6.6 million to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). This money will provide critical food and nutrition assistance to over one million people.1

• FAO and WFP have begun to conduct a second Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission (CFSAM), targeting 15,000 households in all 25 districts. Results are expected in April.

• Save The Children carried out the second phase of a Rapid Needs Assessment (RNA), following the one carried out in June 2022. Key finding is on increased protection risks for female headed households, resulting in a deterioration of the nutritional and child protection situation.2

• The year-on-year inflation for February according to the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) was 50.6 per cent, down from 51.7 per cent in January. Starting from February 2023, the base year for the CCPI index has been revised from 2013 to 2021 and the representative basket of goods and services updated to reflect current consumption expenditure of households in the urban areas of Colombo district.3

• The Sri Lankan Government is optimistic that the US$2.9 billion Extended Fund Facility of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) could be approved by the IMF board on 20 March. This comes after Sri Lanka has secured financing assurances from all major bilateral creditors.4

• Several protests and strikes have taken place in recent weeks, with people protesting against a variety of issues, including increased electricity cost, and rising income taxes. Several trade unions, including hospital doctors, state bankers and port workers have announced significant strike activities on 15 March should their concerns be ignored.5

• Local elections, initially planned for 9 March, have been postponed with a new date to be confirmed.