• SLTL has launched a pilot project over the past four to five months to manufacture Thriposha using rice instead of maize

Sri Lanka Thriposha Limited (SLTL) has reassured that it will be able to meet the national requirement for ‘Thriposha’ by early next year, once the company receives the new machinery expected to become operational by early 2026.

When contacted yesterday (23), SLTL Chairperson Amal Attanayake told The Daily Morning that the institution had been forced to suspend the provision of Thriposha to six-month-old infants and three-year-old toddlers due to an aflatoxin-related issue detected in maize used for production. He explained that while less than one part per billion (ppb) of the harmful substance can normally be present in maize, the company halted production for those age categories as a precaution. SLTL has launched a pilot project over the past four to five months to manufacture Thriposha using rice instead of maize.

According to Attanayake, the rice-based Thriposha stock has been handed over to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media for distribution through the Medical Officers of Health (MoH) in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Kurunegala and Nuwara Eliya Districts where malnutrition levels are comparatively high. He said that the aim is to expand the programme to all 24 districts once the new machinery, procured with World Food Programme (WFP) funds, arrives by January or February 2026. Attanayake further noted that SLTL will also be in a position to resume providing Thriposha to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, as well as to children between three and five years, once the company receives a new stock of maize by the end of next week.

There is a national requirement for 1.8 million packs, each containing 750 g of Thriposha, the SLTL Chairperson added.