Sri Lanka’s First National School Nutrition Conference Held
The Government has allocated Rs. 33.6 billion for the School Nutrition Programme in 2026, with the aim of developing the programme into a comprehensive initiative that contributes not only to the health of children but also to strengthening the local economy, Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the National School Nutrition Conference 2026, held at the Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo yesterday (02).
Implemented by the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, the Government’s school meal programme has, by 2026, become a national-level initiative covering 8,990 schools and more than 1.5 million students.
The first-ever School Nutrition Conference in Sri Lanka was organised with the participation of a wide range of stakeholders, including Save the Children, to discuss the expansion of the programme, future measures and research findings related to school nutrition.
The main objective of the conference was to strengthen coordination among stakeholders involved in the Government’s school nutrition programme and reach decisions necessary to improve its sustainability and quality.
Addressing the conference, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said that for many children attending schools across the country, the school meal is the most reliable and nutritious meal they receive during the day.
She said the Government considers the programme a fundamental opportunity to help every child start the day well and continue their educational journey with confidence.
“More than 1.5 million children in 8,990 schools are benefiting from this programme. We have allocated Rs. 33.6 billion for it in 2026. At a time when people are making significant sacrifices to make a living, the Government must be accountable for every rupee of public money spent on this programme,” the Prime Minister said.
She further noted that the programme should be viewed as one of the Government’s major investments, moving beyond merely addressing hunger to addressing non-communicable diseases and other health challenges in the country.
She emphasised the need to focus more seriously on reducing malnutrition and stunting among children while ensuring that school meals provide greater variety and nutritional value.
The Prime Minister said the school meal programme should be directly linked with the country’s agriculture sector, fisheries and cooperative system, while also creating opportunities to economically empower mothers within communities.
She also stressed the importance of educating children about food waste and sustainable food systems, while encouraging them to consider new career pathways related to agriculture and nutrition.
The Prime Minister called for the continued support of all stakeholders to develop a new model for the school nutrition programme that moves beyond traditional approaches and responds to the country’s current needs.
Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Madhura Seneviratne, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Nalaka Kaluwewa, Acting U.S. Ambassador David Myers, Save the Children Country Director Maika Olad, together with representatives of institutions involved in the School Nutrition Programme, ministry officials and education authorities, attended the conference.
