News
Food, education and child nutrition project: Fresh American funding amounting to USD 32.5 mn
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo yesterday (17) announced a new USD 32.5 mn grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to Sri Lanka for the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Programme – a food assistance initiative meant to reduce hunger and enhance literacy and primary education.
The following is the text of the US Embassy statement: “By providing school meals, teacher training and related support, McGovern-Dole projects help boost school enrollment and academic performance. Building on an existing initiative implemented by Save the Children in collaboration with Sri Lankan government counterparts, more than 200,000 Sri Lankan children will benefit from this initiative in the districts of Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Moneragala, Ratnapura, Killinochchi, Mullaitivu, Trincomalee, and Colombo over the coming five years.
U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung, who has visited a number of locations where the U.S.-funded school feeding programme is already active, said, “I have seen the transformative impact of the school feeding programme on the lives of Sri Lankan children. The United States remains steadfast in its support for Sri Lanka’s school feeding initiative, exemplified by this additional $32.5 million contribution through the USDA’s McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Programme. These programmes are vital, enhancing nutrition and education for children across the country, and reflect our enduring commitment to the people of Sri Lanka.”
This new funding is a continuation of the USDA-supported Promoting Autonomy for Literacy and Attentiveness through Market Alliances (PALAM/A), a $27.5 million project whereby Save the Children, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Finance, supports over 95,000 children in 852 schools in seven districts (Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Moneragala, Ratnapura, Killinochchi, Mullaitivu, and Trincomalee), providing nutritious meals as part of the Government’s School Meal Programme. The project furthers the development of children’s literacy skills, teachers’ professional training, and supports improvements in inclusive safe drinking-water, improved kitchen facilities, and sanitation and hygiene facilities in schools.
The McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Programme helps support education, child development, and food security in low-income, food-deficit countries around the globe. The programme provides for the donation of U.S. agricultural commodities, as well as financial and technical assistance, to support school feeding and maternal and child nutrition projects.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of US–Sri Lankan diplomatic relations, a rich history that is underscored by robust people-to-people relationships. The progress that our countries have achieved together will assist Sri Lankans to build a brighter future.”
During an operation conducted in the dark hours of 22 Feb 26, the Sri Lanka Navy seized an Indian fishing boat and apprehended twelve (12) Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, in the sea area south of Mannar.
The seized boat and the Indian fishermen were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Dikovita for onward legal proceedings.
FSL assures legal backing for them
Families of those sentenced to death by the Three-member Gampaha High Trial-at-Bar, over the killing of SLPP MP Amarakeerthi Atukorale, and his police bodyguard, met a senior official of the Presidential Secretariat, yesterday (23), to seek backing for their move to appeal against the verdict.
Having made representations, they addressed the media, outside the Presidential Secretariat, where they declared their intention to move the higher court against the decision.
The SLPP MP and his security officer were killed by an Aragalaya mob on 09 May, 2022, at Nittambuwa. The same day Aragalaya mobs unleashed violence against the then government MPs across the country, torching dozens of their properties.
The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) yesterday said that they would help the families of those sentenced to death to move court against the Gampaha High Court Trial-at-Bar decision. Responding to The Island queries, FSP spokesman Pubudu Jayagoda said that their representatives had already met the families and necessary work was being done to move the Supreme Court. Twenty three persons were acquitted and four handed six-month prison terms, suspended for five years
Jayagoda said that one of the HC judges differed in the ruling. Asked whether they received backing from any other political party and groups that had been involved in the 2022 protest campaign to defend those who had been found guilty, Jayagoda said such support was lacking.
The JVP/NPP played a significant role in the violent protest campaign that forced President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to step down. Pointing out that the Attorney General, too, was appealing against the court decision on the basis that the number of persons sentenced to death should be much higher, Jayagoda said that the Nittambuwa incident couldn’t be examined in isolation without taking into consideration the SLPP goon attack on Galle Face protesters on 09 May, 2022. (SF)
Offshore Patrol Vessel P 628 of the Sri Lanka Navy departed Baltimore, USA, for Colombo, on 20 February.
The ex-United States Coast Guard Cutter, USCGC Decisive was officially handed over to the SLN on 02 December, 2025, as the latest addition to the SLN fleet, under the Pennant Number P 628.
Measuring 64 metres in length, this ‘B-Type Reliance Class 210-foot Cutter’ is equipped with advanced technological systems and facilities, capable of conducting extensive surveillance operations spanning up to 6,000 nautical miles per patrol.
The vessel’s voyage to Colombo is historic, possibly marking the longest-ever passage undertaken by a Sri Lanka Navy ship. Covering approximately 14,775 nautical miles, the journey will see the P 628 navigate from Baltimore through the Atlantic Ocean, the Panama Canal (a first for a Sri Lankan naval vessel), the Pacific Ocean, and into the Indian Ocean, via the Straits of Malacca. The ship is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka during the first week of May, 2026.
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Navy seize an Indian fishing boat poaching in Mannar seas
Fair weather will prevail except for showers in the Southern province and in Rathnapura, Monaragala and Kaluthara districts after 2.00 p.m
Families of those sentenced to death for killing MP Atukorale seek AKD’s intervention
OPV leaves Baltimore, expected in Colombo in May
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