The Parliamentary Select Committee tasked with investigating child malnutrition and proposing solutions has put forward a recommendation to regulate advertisements for children’s food items. The committee presented its findings to Parliament on September 4, highlighting the worsening crisis, particularly in Nuwara Eliya district.
Rohini Kumari Wijeratne Kaviratne, an opposition member of Parliament from Samagi Jana Balavega, underscored the severity of the issue. She emphasized that immediate action is needed and pointed out that advertisements for children’s food products have been identified as a significant factor contributing to rising malnutrition rates.
Kaviratne urged the launch of a comprehensive program to implement this proposal and stressed the need for a balanced food program as a short-term remedy. She also called on all presidential candidates to incorporate policies addressing child malnutrition into their platforms.
In response, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha announced plans to expand the existing school meal program. The new budget proposal aims to extend the program to include students from grades 6 to 8 and provide meals to pre-school children, addressing some of the nutritional challenges faced by various age groups.
The committee’s report outlines urgent recommendations and stresses the need for swift and sustained action to address the growing issue of child malnutrition in Sri Lanka.
