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The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to increase the daily allocation for providing breakfast to children in Early Childhood Development Centers and preschools with a high percentage of underweight children, Cabinet Spokesman Mass Media Minister Dr.Nalinda Jayatissa said.
He was speaking at the weekly Cabinet media briefing held yesterday at the Government Information Department.
This initiative, implemented by the National Secretariat on Early Child Development under the technical guidance of the Health Ministry since 2017, aims to address malnutrition among young children.
Currently, Rs.60 per day is allocated per child under the programme. However, with the rising cost of food, this amount has become insufficient. Therefore, the Cabinet has approved the proposal presented by the Women and Child Affairs Minister to increase the daily allocation to Rs.100 per child. The programme is expected to benefit around 155,000 children in 2025. The selection of preschools for this initiative will be based on the criteria of having a high percentage of underweight children.
This measure is a part of the Government’s broader efforts to combat malnutrition and promote the well-being of young children, ensuring a healthier start to their educational journey.
Ishara Mudugamuwa
