Two million schoolchildren to get mid-day meal from next term: Minister

A national program that currently provides one mid-day meal for schoolchildren will be increased to 2 million at the start of the next school term, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

He said the ministry is currently providing a midday meal for 1.2 million schoolchildren.

The program kicked off in January with the support of USAID, the World Food Program (WFP), and the government. 

With this program, the parents will get some relief, to some extent, from the economic issues.

The US government has sponsored to provide mid -day meal more schools in order to provide opportunities for school children to engage in educational activities in a more optimal way with proper attention in the classroom and to find out the progress of the school lunch program.

US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung was present during an inspection tour at the Guru Aaragama Vidyalaya in Embilipitiya yesterday accompanying the Minister. (Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama)