The World Food Programme (WFP) has listed Sri Lanka as one of "hunger's global hotspots". This is partly because the country is unable to grow enough rice to feed itself, and partly because of poor internal infrastructure for food distribution. Escalation of the fighting creates the worst possible environment for dealing with a potential food crisis, especially as the rice surplus regions in the north coincide with the conflict zone. A recent WFP report states that the conflict presents a "serious threat to overall food security".

Half of the population consumes less than the recommended daily calorie intake and malnutrition affects 29% of children. The price of rice and wheat rose sharply during 2008, creating further hardship. The government concedes that critical levels of acute malnutrition could undermine Sri Lanka's reputation in health and education. Import duties on rice were removed during the height of the food crisis in 2008 with Sri Lanka becoming dependent on Burma to make available sufficient supplies.

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