The World Food Programme (WFP) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening school nutrition programmes in Sri Lanka, following a meeting with Minister of Education, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya at Temple Trees today (24).
During the discussions, WFP representatives expressed readiness to continue their partnership with the Government of Sri Lanka and highlighted their interest in working closely with ministries, universities, UN agencies, and other stakeholders to advance nutrition interventions within the school system.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya stressed that nutrition remains a major concern, pointing to the importance of promoting healthier eating habits alongside strengthening primary and preventive healthcare.
She noted that the government’s school nutrition programme is already being implemented in targeted schools and among identified families, with interventions also introduced at the early childhood level.
The Prime Minister further raised concerns about the rising prevalence of non‑communicable diseases (NCDs), underscoring the need to examine underlying causes.
She emphasized that the government’s approach must go beyond free meals, focusing instead on nutritional awareness, healthier dietary practices, and long‑term behavioural change across the school system.
The WFP delegation echoed these priorities, stressing the importance of collaboration and evidence‑based decision‑making. They noted that policies and programmes relating to nutrition and health should be guided by reliable research and a clear understanding of the root causes of nutritional challenges and NCDs.
The meeting was attended by Philip Ward, WFP Representative and Country Director; Robert Oliver, Deputy Country Director and Head of Programmes; Professor Jayashree Arcot, Professor of Food Science and Nutrition at the University of New South Wales, Sydney; as well as officials from the Ministry of Education and WFP representatives. (Newswire)