The All‑Island Banquet Owners’ and Caterers Association has announced that charges for banquet meals have been increased with immediate effect.

Speaking at a media briefing, Association representatives said that from May onwards, new orders will see charges rise by 15% to 20%. 

They further said that for meals already pre‑booked, a 10% price increase will also be applied.

The decision comes in response to the ongoing fuel crisis, recent VAT revisions, and the rapid rise in prices of raw materials. 

The association noted that the industry has faced severe setbacks due to escalating costs and stressed that the move was necessary to safeguard both business owners and employees. (Newswire)

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The implementation of the ‘School Food Programme’ for students from Grades 1- 5 in government schools has received Cabinet approval.

The government revealed that the ‘School Food Programme’ is implemented in 7,902 schools belonging to 100 education zones in Sri Lanka.

The programme covers a total of 1.08 million of the school student community and an amount of Rs. 85/- is spent per day for a meal for one student. 

However, the committee of officers to study this matter has reported that an approximate amount of Rs. 110/- is at least spent for a meal as a result of the price fluctuation. 

Moreover, the Save the Children organization has agreed to provide 03 items of food to 200,000 students in 917 selected schools for the year 2024 under the ‘School Food Programme’. 

Accordingly, the Cabinet approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Education to escalate the amount spent for a meal for a student up to Rs. 110/-.

Approval was also granted for the implementation of the ‘School Food Programme’ for 170 days within the year 2024 for the students in the primary division. (NewsWire)

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