The social and health costs of the economic slowdown resulting from the financial crisis and of the food crisis in Sri Lanka, has yet to be determined. The food-price crisis is expected to have long term effects on the nutritional status and health of the poor, with infants and preschool children being most vulnerable. An analysis of the indicators of nutritional status of infants, children and women, and coping strategies, both among the households as well as country policies as related to urban food security was undertaken as part of this survey. The study areas were two randomly selected municipal administrative zone ‘districts’ (of a total of five zones) within the Colombo city. A sample of 600 households was selected from slum and middle income areas according to the specified design format. Demographic and socioeconomic data including coping strategies, and food intake data were obtained using the intervieweradministered questionnaire. Anthropometric data (weight and height) was collected from all children 0-6 years and from all women between 15-49 y in selected households. The survey evidence indicates that the food crisis has significantly negatively impacted on the urban poor who were already affected by economic constraints and therefore vulnerable to poor nutritional status. Although policy actions to address these issues have been in place, there is room for improvement, with agricultural investment being the most plausible long-term strategy. It is of significance to note that, despite the increase in the proportion of income spent on food in almost the entire population surveyed, yet, food intake is inadequate. Both qualitative and quantitative analysis revealed that major restrictions on food have been made by households, with deficient intake of both macro and micronutrient rich foods being of concern. The high prevalence of stunting, points to long term nutritional deficiency. Wasting accounts for recent inadequacy of both protein and energy in children which is substantiated by the food intake data. Coping strategies used by families were largely negative. Issues of the urban poor in Sri Lanka, affecting all ethnic communities, are multifaceted, with deep rooted behaviours that make it difficult to successfully intervene for a total poverty alleviation target in the long term. While long term intervention strategies need to take a holistic approach, with food being one aspect, inputs towards income generation, social well-being and nutrition care practices for the under five year old child are needed. Long term policy inputs need to be in the direction of improved food security through economic development and agriculture. Our findings also provide insights into policy direction for the future to improve food security in Sri Lanka, and highlight that both short term and long term strategies need to be initiated in parallel.