More

    Sri Lanka Launches Fortified Rice Lunch Programme to Address Malnutrition Among School Children

    ChildrenEarly childhood developmentSri Lanka Launches Fortified Rice Lunch Programme to Address...
    - Advertisment -

    Sri Lanka Launches Fortified Rice Lunch Programme to Address Malnutrition Among School Children

    The Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries, the Ministry of Education, the World Food Programme, the National Food Promotion Board and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) have collaborated on the project, the government said in its statement.

    Sri Lanka has launched a fortified rice lunch distribution programme aiming to benefit some half a million school children in the country.

    The programme, meant to last eight months in the first phase, comes a year after a shipment of fortified rice reached Sri Lanka as the country was recovering from a unprecedented financial and food crisis. That shipment was part of a larger food assistance initiative by USAID and WFP that includes 3,950 metric tons of fortified rice to provide school meals and nutritional supplements for 1.7 million children as well as 300,000 pregnant and lactating mothers.

    The present programme “seeks to enhance the nutritional status of school children, addressing issues such as anaemia, memory impairment and stunted growth. Approximately five hundred thousand school children are expected to benefit from fortified rice lunches over an eight-month period,” a statement released by the president’s office said at the launch of the programme in Colombo last Thursday.

    The Ministry of Agriculture and Plantation Industries, the Ministry of Education, the World Food Programme, the National Food Promotion Board and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) have collaborated on the project, the government said in its statement.

    - Advertisement -

    Speaking at the event, Senior Adviser to the President on National Security and the Chief of Presidential Staff Sagala Ratnayaka said nurturing a healthy future generation was essential. Nutrition is a critical factor in shaping the country’s destiny beyond merely satisfying hunger.

    He expressed satisfaction with the expansion and strengthening of a program initiated to aid war-affected areas in the Northern and Eastern provinces. Originating in four districts, the program broadened its scope to six districts following the tsunami in 2004. Supported by various ministries and organizations, the initiative has evolved to encompass a wider geographical area, reflecting its continued impact and success.

    Following the unprecedented economic crisis exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, poverty levels in Sri Lanka experienced a significant surge. In response, a stabilization program was initiated, spearheaded by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, with a primary focus on addressing poverty, said Mr. Ratnayaka.

    The nutrition programme’s roots date back to 2003 with the intervention of the World Food Programme. The ongoing efforts align with President Wickremesinghe’s vision for a poverty-free and healthier Sri Lanka, said Ratnayake.

    The expansion and strengthening of a programme initiated to aid war-affected areas in the Northern and Eastern provinces was satisfactory, the official had noted, according to the statement.

    “Originating in four districts, the programme broadened its scope to six districts following the tsunami in 2004. Supported by various ministries and organisations, the initiative has evolved to encompass a wider geographical area, reflecting its continued impact and success.

    “Following the unprecedented economic crisis exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, poverty levels in Sri Lanka experienced a significant surge. In response, a stabilisation programme was initiated, spearheaded by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, with a primary focus on addressing poverty,” he said.

    - Advertisement -

    LEAVE A REPLY

    Please enter your comment!
    Please enter your name here

    Latest news

    India Among Six Most Affected Countries by Extreme Weather Events

    The long-term assessment of the CRI 2025, covering data from 1993 to 2022, places India as the sixth most affected country globally due to extreme weather events. Over this period, India reported a staggering loss of 80,000 lives and economic damages amounting to $200 billion.

    Calculated, Coordinated Crackdown – UN Report Uncovers Systematic Repression in Bangladesh Protests

    The mass mobilisation saw participation from people across different backgrounds, including women and children. Faced with this growing opposition, the former government resorted to increasingly violent means to maintain power. The UN report describes a deliberate strategy orchestrated at the highest levels of the former administration.

    Adani Green Energy Withdraws from $1 Billion Wind Power Project in Sri Lanka

    There has been a raging debate in Sri Lanka on the deal, citing it as an expensive deal. The earlier government had agreed to purchase power from Adani’s 484-megawatt wind power project at a rate of 8.26 US cents per unit under a 20-year power purchase agreement.

    IMF Chief Reaffirms Support for Pakistan’s Reforms in Meeting with Shehbaz Sharif

    Georgieva praised Pakistan’s efforts in implementing the IMF-supported program, acknowledging the country’s improving economic performance with rising growth and declining inflation. She recognized Pakistan’s economic recovery and noted that it is on a positive trajectory.
    - Advertisement -

    In the Lok Sabha: Government Reports Significant Progress on Agriculture Infrastructure Fund

    Eligible projects include warehouses, silos, cold chains, logistics facilities, and smart precision agriculture infrastructure. Loan applicants must contribute at least 10 per cent of the project cost, and an entity can apply for up to 25 projects, each eligible for a loan of up to Rs. 2 crore.

    In the Lok Sabha: Over 68,000 Lakes Constructed as Part of Mission Amrit Sarovar

    With the successful completion of more than 68,000 Sarovars ahead of schedule, the government has now launched the second phase of Mission Amrit Sarovar. This phase will emphasise ensuring sustainable water availability and climate resilience, with community participation (Jan Bhagidari) being the core focus.

    Must read

    India Among Six Most Affected Countries by Extreme Weather Events

    The long-term assessment of the CRI 2025, covering data from 1993 to 2022, places India as the sixth most affected country globally due to extreme weather events. Over this period, India reported a staggering loss of 80,000 lives and economic damages amounting to $200 billion.

    Calculated, Coordinated Crackdown – UN Report Uncovers Systematic Repression in Bangladesh Protests

    The mass mobilisation saw participation from people across different backgrounds, including women and children. Faced with this growing opposition, the former government resorted to increasingly violent means to maintain power. The UN report describes a deliberate strategy orchestrated at the highest levels of the former administration.
    - Advertisement -

    More from the sectionRELATED
    Recommended to you