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Govt. to address issues in ‘School Nutrition Programme’

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The Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake stated that the government has taken a policy decision to continue, without interruption, “School Nutrition Programme’’ aimed at reducing anemia among schoolchildren, which is being implemented with the assistance of the World Food Programme.

He made these remarks yesterday (April 23), during a discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat with representatives from relevant Ministries and government institutions involved in the programme, along with officials from the World Food Programme, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Pathfinder Foundation.

The school meal programme, aligned with the government’s initiative to provide nutritious lunch to primary school students in districts identified as having high levels of malnutrition, specifically targets the reduction of iron deficiency among schoolchildren. The initiative is jointly coordinated by the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, Provincial Councils, the Food Promotion Board and the Partnership Secretariat for the World Food Programme Cooperation. The government has allocated Rs. 32 billion for this programme for the current year.

A pilot project is currently being implemented in four selected districts. Based on a formal health and nutrition study assessing the outcomes of this pilot project, there are plans to expand the programme island-wide. The study aims to determine the extent to which iron deficiency among schoolchildren can be reduced through this initiative.

As part of the programme, fortified rice enriched with iron and folic acid will be included in the school meals to specifically address anemia among students.

The World Food Programme, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Gateway Foundation and the Pathfinder Foundation have pledged their continued support for this effort.

Present at the occasion were Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Kapila Janaka Bandara, Secretary to the Ministry of Education Nalaka Kaluwewa, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media Dr. Anil Jasinghe, and Secretary to the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Malarmathy Gangatharan, along with other government officials and representatives from partner organizations.

(President’s Media Division)

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Body of missing fisherman from capsized boat, recovered

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The body of one of the two fishermen who went missing after a multi-day fishing vessel capsized in the seas off the coast of Paravi Wella in Tangalle, has been recovered.

The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) confirmed that the fisherman’s body was recovered during search operations, which were conducted with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF).

The fishing vessel, named “Maxim Putha 1,” was carrying six fishermen when the accident occurred while returning to shore after poaching.

A total of six fishermen were onboard the vessel when it capsized off the coast of Paravi Wella Beach in Tangalle, four of whom were rescued with the help of a dinghy.

Efforts are underway to locate the remaining missing fisherman.

Meanwhile, three other boat accidents were reported yesterday in seas off Galle, Kalutara and Hikkaduwa.

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Nationwide mosquito control program launches tomorrow

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In response to a surge in dengue cases, health authorities will launch a special mosquito control program tomorrow (June 30), covering 16 high-risk districts across the country.

According to the National Dengue Control Unit, the program will be in continue until the 5th of July.

A total of 28,752 dengue cases have been reported islandwide so far this year.

The highest number of cases were recorded from the Western Province.

Sixteen dengue-related deaths have been reported so far this year.

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President’s Fund donates one million to Ishaq Baig

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Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister Hiniduma Sunil Senevi today offered one million rupees from the President’s Fund to ailing veteran singer Ishaq Baig for his treatments.

The Sri Lankan Singers’ Association had launched a campaign “Ishak ta Kotiyak” (Rs. 10 million for Ishak) to raise funds for Ishaq Baig’s treatment and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake instructed to offer Rs. one million from the President’s Fund.

Minister Sunil Senevi visited Baig’s residence today and offered the cheque for one million rupees.

“Ishak ta Kotiyak”

Sri Lankan Singers’ Association President Rohan De Silva said they launched the campaign “Ishak ta Kotiyak” (Rs. 10 million for Ishak) to assist Ishaq Baig for his treatment and other expenses.

“Ishaq requires about Rs. 100,000 for his treatment and medicines monthly. We hope to make an investment with the funds so that Ishak could get at least Rs. 100,000 monthly for his expenses. We have been able to achieve the Rs. 10 million target within five days. However, we will keep the account open till the Esala Poya day while considering the request of well-wishers,” he said.

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