Govt increases daily allocation for preschool breakfast to Rs. 100

Colombo, December 19 (Daily Mirror) - The government has approved increasing the daily allocation to Rs. 100 to provide breakfast for children attending Early Childhood Development Centres and preschools, Cabinet spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said.

Since 2017, the National Secretariat on Early Childhood Development has been implementing a programme to provide breakfast for children in centres and preschools with a high percentage of underweight children, under the technical guidance of the Health Ministry.

He said currently, Rs. 60 is allocated per child per day, and the programme aims to benefit approximately 155,000 children in 2025.

Accordingly, the Cabinet approved a proposal by the Minister of Women and Child Affairs to increase the allocation, as the current amount is insufficient due to rising food prices. The increase will target preschools with a high percentage of underweight children.