Ensuring food security remains a top Government priority, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (24) said, directing authorities to secure adequate fertiliser stocks ahead of the 2026 Yala season.
The President instructed the Agriculture Ministry and private sector fertiliser importers to jointly implement a programme to maintain uninterrupted supply to farmers, during a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat with ministry officials and company CEOs.
With ongoing Middle East (ME) tensions disrupting global supply chains, discussions focused on maintaining sufficient fertiliser stocks for paddy and other crops, and on immediate measures to prevent shortages.
Approximately 550,000 hectares of paddy are expected to be cultivated during Yala 2026, requiring an estimated 125,000 metric tonnes (MT) of urea, including 83,000 MT for paddy and 42,000 MT for other crops.
As at 1 March, companies held 95,000 MT of urea, with distributors holding a further 7,000 MT, bringing total available stocks to 102,000 MT. However, around 27,000 MT had been released over the past two to three weeks, reducing company-held stocks to about 68,000 MT by 17 March.
Officials noted that compared to March 2025, when only around 11,000 MT were expected to be issued, this month’s higher release of 27,000 MT was driven by stockpiling amid fears of a shortage.
Orders have been placed for a further 77,000 MT of urea. Of this, 37,000 MT is expected from ME suppliers, creating uncertainty, while 21,000 MT from the remaining 40,000 MT is due to arrive by end March or early April.
Discussions also centred on importing the remaining required quantities and maintaining adequate stocks over the next three months through improved management. The President sought clarity on the role fertiliser companies could play in ensuring supply continuity.
He stressed that uninterrupted fertiliser supply is critical to food security and underscored the need to prioritise short-term crops such as paddy and vegetables.
Fertiliser companies, meanwhile, raised concerns over delays in payments owed to them. The President instructed officials to expedite settlements.
Companies agreed to work with the Ministry to maintain sufficient stocks over the next three months.
The President also called for long-term planning to respond to similar crises, stressing the need for coordinated action by the Government, private sector and farming community.
Issues relating to expanding storage facilities around Colombo to build buffer stocks, providing credit facilities for imports, and proposals submitted to the Food Security Committee were also discussed.