29 August 2022 11:54 am Views - 1052
A task plan to provide free mid-day meals for all schoolchildren will be included in the budget for next year, Leader of the House Susil Premajanyantha told Parliament today.
Responding to a query raised by Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa, Minister Premajayantha said that arrangements will be made to provide mid-day meals for all schoolchildren through the next year’s budget.
Mr. Premadasa actually requested that the mid-day meal program should be resumed considering the UNICEF report which said Sri Lanka is in the 6th slot when it comes to countries with highest malnutrition among children.
“We will focus on this report and provide free mid-day meals for all schoolchildren through the 2023 budget,” Mr. Premajayantha said.
“A consignment of yellow lentils have been delivered from the USA and 10,000 tonnes of rice from China, which will be distributed among the poor,” he added.
In addition he said a private company, Lions Club and Save the Children Organization have undertaken the task of looking after schoolchildren.
Also he said that Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella will make a statement in Parliament on the UNICEF report shortly. (Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana)