Sri Lanka’s school breakfast program faces collapse as soaring food prices push suppliers to the brink, threatening nutrition for thousands of children.
Sri Lanka’s School Breakfast Program, introduced to combat child malnutrition, is now facing a serious crisis that could disrupt meals for thousands of students. With around 1.4 million schoolchildren in the country and nearly 400,000 currently benefiting from the free meal initiative, concerns are growing about the program’s sustainability amid rising economic pressures.
Supplier associations have raised alarm over the sharp increase in food prices, warning that they may soon be forced to withdraw from the program. According to them, the current payment structure no longer reflects the actual cost of providing meals, especially as inflation continues to drive up the prices of essential food items across the country.
The National People’s Power government launched the initiative with the goal of improving child health and reducing malnutrition. The program was designed not only to address hunger but also to prevent a wide range of health issues, including chronic diseases, mental stress, and conditions affecting brain development. It was positioned as a long term investment in the well being of Sri Lanka’s younger generation.
However, suppliers now say that maintaining the required nutritional standards set by the Ministry of Education has become increasingly difficult. The cost of key ingredients such as lentils, fish, and other protein sources has surged significantly, while expenses related to gas and transportation have also climbed. These combined factors have made it nearly impossible to deliver balanced meals within the current budget limits.
R.R.S. Mediwela, Chairman of the School Food Supply Enterprise Development Cooperative Society, highlighted the severity of the situation by pointing to recent price hikes. Within just one month, the price of a kilogram of lentils rose from Rs. 250 to Rs. 350, while sprats increased from Rs. 1,100 to Rs. 1,600 per kilogram. He noted that many suppliers have already begun withdrawing due to these unsustainable conditions.
At present, the government provides Rs. 100 per meal for preschool children and Rs. 110 for older students. According to suppliers, this amount falls far short of what is needed to prepare a nutritionally balanced meal that includes rice, lentils, vegetables, coconut-based dishes, fish or protein alternatives, eggs, and fruit. The gap between cost and payment continues to widen as inflation persists.
Adding to the challenge, suppliers also face financial losses due to student absenteeism. With approximately ten percent of students absent on a daily basis, payments are reduced accordingly, further straining already tight margins. This additional burden has made participation in the program even less viable for many providers.
Mediwela warned that unless authorities urgently revise the payment structure to reflect current market conditions, the entire supply network could collapse. He emphasized that without immediate intervention, suppliers will have no option but to withdraw completely, placing the future of the school breakfast program and the health of thousands of children at serious risk.
