Director of the Nutrition Division, Dr. Monica Wijerathne, said the official launch ceremony would be held at the auditorium of the Faculty of Medicine, Colombo, under the patronage of the Minister of Health.
According to Dr. Wijerathne, the guidelines have been legally strengthened through a circular issued under the signature of the Secretary to the Ministry of Education. The circular grants principals and school authorities the necessary authority and responsibility to implement the provisions within their respective schools.
Under the new guidelines, foods falling into five major categories will no longer be permitted for sale in school canteens. These include foods containing unhealthy fats, products high in salt and artificial flavorings, foods with excessive sugar content, and high-calorie foods with low nutritional value.
Health officials emphasized that the initiative is part of broader efforts to address the growing trend of childhood obesity among schoolchildren. Dr. Wijerathne noted that the increasing consumption of carbonated beverages is a significant contributing factor, with 17.4 percent of children aged 13 to 17 reported to consume such drinks regularly.
The Ministry expects the new guidelines to encourage healthier eating habits among students and contribute to improving the overall nutritional status of school-aged children nationwide.
