Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that food safety practices should not be confined merely to the school curriculum, but should be nurtured as an integral part of a child’s attitudes and behavioral patterns.

The Prime Minister made these remarks today (28) while addressing the National Workshop on Education for Building and Strengthening a Domestic Circular Economy, held at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, under the Circular Economy in the Food Sector Project (2024–2027).

Implemented with financial support from the European Union, under the Global Gateway programme in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the workshop aimed to identify challenges and opportunities in integrating circular economy concepts into school education; to develop practical action plans through policymakers, youth and skills development sectors, and formal education stakeholders; and to establish a educational foundation to promote sustainable circular economy practices in the food sector of Sri Lanka by 2027.

The Prime Minister stated:

“Education is not merely about passing examinations and securing employment. True education fosters a sense of responsibility and connection towards society and the environment. At present, what is most important is the concept of the circular economy, which promotes the repeated and efficient use of resources.

This concept is not unfamiliar to our ancestors. I am reminded of my grandmother, who demonstrated remarkable skill in minimizing food waste. From what we discard today such as passion fruit peels, she prepared delicious jams and chutneys. Even the metal lids of milk bottles were not thrown away. Instead, she transformed them into creative household decorations. ’Nothing should be wasted’ was a core philosophy of their way of life.

However, today, women deal with intense time pressures. Balancing employment and childcare responsibilities, food waste such as vegetables or cooked meals left unused in refrigerators has become increasingly common due to time restrictions. This should not be seen as the sole responsibility of women; rather, household responsibilities and labour must be shared collectively within the family”.

The Prime Minister further emphasized that practices such as taking only the required portion of food, cleaning one’s own plate, and developing respect for conserving resources should not remain theoretical lessons, but should be embraced as everyday life practices. She also reaffirmed that the Ministry of Education would extend its full support towards achieving this goal.

The event was attended by Carmen Moreno, Ambassador of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives; Dr. Johann Hesse, Head of Cooperation of the European Union; FAO Representative Vimlendra Sharan; along with representatives from the National Institute of Education (NIE), and a number of government and non-governmental organizations.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]