The Government is being urged to reconsider its plans to shut down the State-owned Sri Lanka Thriposha Ltd. (SLTL) as such an action could worsen the nation’s already precarious nutritional standards.
Although the Government issued Gazette Notification No.2403/53 on 27 September towards this end, the decision remains unconfirmed and there are concerns over its potential impact on vulnerable groups in Sri Lanka.
Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) Education Secretary and Colombo District candidate Pubudu Jayagoda, voicing strong objections to the proposed closure, explained that Thriposha, a vital nutritional product, was essential for underweight children under five, pregnant women with anaemia, and lactating mothers.
The product is particularly crucial in addressing the country’s malnutrition rates, which have been exacerbated by economic challenges and other crises.
Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Jayagoda stressed that the SLTL had been fulfilling an essential role since its inception in 1987.
The company provides free nutritional packets to the most vulnerable and also generates revenue for the Government through its surplus product, Suposha, which has become a leading brand in the local cereal market.
Within just three months of its introduction, Suposha captured 70% of the country’s cereal market, posing a challenge to private cereal manufacturers.
Despite its success, the company is now at risk due to privatisation plans linked to International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditions.
In 2023, the Government included SLTL in a list of State ventures to be privatised, although public opposition thwarted those efforts. Now, there are concerns that these plans are being revived under the new administration.
Jayagoda argued that Thriposha plays a crucial role in addressing the nutritional needs of 1.6 million people – 664,920 mothers and 925,172 children – distributing approximately 1.6 million packets each month.
Despite its high production costs, which amount to about Rs. 9 billion annually, the company generates significant revenue, contributing nearly Rs. 0.5 billion to the Treasury.
“This is a service that goes beyond profit,” Jayagoda said. “Thriposha is integral to controlling the malnutrition crisis in Sri Lanka. Shutting it down would have devastating consequences for the nation’s most vulnerable.”
The FSP has called on the public to oppose the Government’s plan, stressing that it is critical to maintain and expand programmes like Thriposha, which provide essential nutrition to the nation’s children and mothers.
Attempts made to contact Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Palitha Mahipala were futile.
Meanwhile, the Government yesterday (9) denied any attempt to shut down SLTL.
In a statement, the Ministry of Finance said that no steps had been taken to liquidate the Thriposha company and that there were no such plans.
The ministry further noted that the programme to provide Thriposha to children and pregnant women would continue and be enhanced for greater effectiveness.