ABSTRACT
A stagnant rate of reduction of undernutrition in Sri Lanka has been in contrast with its high per capita income growth. Examining the evolution of agricultural and food security policies in a historical perspective, this chapter reveals Sri Lanka’s struggles in meeting conflicting objectives of self-sustenance in the food sector through protectionist approaches and import liberalisation to stabilise food prices. Frequent changes and inconsistencies in the agricultural trade liberalisation positions prevented a focussed long-term national food market stabilisation strategy. Sri Lanka stands to gain from improving the design and implementation of its public programmes, greater engagement in regional agricultural trade and technical cooperation for joint agricultural research and technology transfer with South Asian partners.
