'We are going to die': Lanka's PM Wickremesinghe warns of a food shortage

A decision in April last year by Prez Gotabaya to ban all chemical fertilisers drastically cut crop yields and although the govt has reversed the ban, no substantial imports have yet taken place

Sri Lanka's prime minister has warned of a food shortage as the island nation battles a devastating economic crisis and vowed the government will buy enough fertiliser for the next planting season to boost harvests.

A decision in April last year by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to ban all chemical fertilisers drastically cut crop yields and although the government has reversed the ban, no substantial imports have yet taken place.

"While there may not be time to obtain fertiliser for this Yala (May-August) season, steps are being taken to ensure adequate stocks for the Maha (September-March) season," Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said in