News
Pathfinder Foundation signs agreement with Akshaya Patra for feeding initiatives in Lanka
The Pathfinder Foundation has officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India’s renowned Akshaya Patra Foundation to initiate a model mid-day meal program in selected schools in Colombo. The agreement was signed at the Pathfinder Foundation headquarters in Peliyagoda.
Akshaya Patra, Lanka plans to commence the feeding programme by serving 1,000 children in the first phase and gradually increasing to 10,000 beneficiaries. The signing of the agreement is in pursuance of Akshaya Patra’s efforts to ensure the development of future generations by securing their access to quality nutrition and education.
Akshaya Patra began its services in India in 2000 to ensure that no child is deprived of education due to hunger. Over the past two decades, it has been working with the Government of India and State Governments to implement the flagship Mid Day Meal Scheme (PM Poshan) and benefit millions of children. This school lunch initiative has considerably increased enrolment, attendance, and retention of students.
Akshaya Patra and its associated with Pathfinder Foundation will now work to provide fresh and nutritious meals to children and communities in Sri Lanka. This intervention will play a significant role in ensuring food security and the education of children in the country. The initiative will also benefit from a knowledge partnership between the chapters of Akshaya Patra in India and Sri Lanka.
The collaboration was initiated following a recent meeting between Pathfinder Foundation’s Founder, Milinda Moragoda, and Akshaya Patra Chairman, Shri Madhu Pandit Dasa, at the foundation’s headquarters in Bengaluru. During the meeting, both parties discussed the feasibility of launching a pilot mid-day meal initiative in selected Sri Lankan schools.
Under the newly signed MoU, the Pathfinder Foundation will implement a model school meal project in Colombo, with Akshaya Patra providing technical and operational support for food preparation and distribution.
The agreement was signed by K. Balasundaram, Director and CEO of MMBL Pathfinder Group, and Bernard Goonetilleke, Chairman of the Pathfinder Foundation. Representing Akshaya Patra were Executive Officers Sanchalapathi Dasa and Siva Suveer Sanidas, who joined the signing virtually from Bengaluru.
The government, under heavy Opposition fire over inclusion of a sex website in the Grade 6 English module, as well as overall education reforms, has decided to put on hold reforms in respect of Grade 6.
Cabinet Spokesman and Media and Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced the government decision yesterday (13) at the post-Cabinet media briefing at the Information Department.
According to him, the decision had been taken at the previous day’s Cabinet meeting, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Dr. Jayatissa said that education reforms pertaining to Garde 6 had been put on hold until 2027.
The Minister said that other proposed education reforms would be implemented as planned. The Minister said that action would be taken against those responsible for the inclusion of a link to a sex website following investigations conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department and the National Education Institute.
The SJB and several other political parties, as well as civil society groups, have accused the government of promoting an LGBTQ agenda, through the proposed education reforms.
The Opposition grouping Mahajana Handa, on Monday, made representations to the Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatta Chapter regarding the controversial reforms, while urging their intervention to halt the project.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (13) vowed to go ahead with his government’s agenda, regardless of the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Emphasising the responsibility on the part of all to contribute to the post-Ditwah recovery efforts, President Dissanayake said that he would have complete faith in the public service.
The President said so at the launch of the re-building Sri Lanka project at the BMICH yesterday.
The JVP and NPP leader said that he wouldn’t take advantage of the death and destruction caused by the cyclone or use the situation as an excuse to reverse their agenda or weaken it.
President Dissanayake said that in spite of many calling for amending the then Budget, in view of the cyclone, the government presented the proposals that were agreed before the disaster struck.
The United States has announced that it will provide the Sri Lanka Air Force with 10 US Navy TH-57 helicopters free of charge.
The announcement was made by outgoing US Ambassador Julie Chung, who stated, on social media, that the helicopters would be transferred under the United States’ Excess Defence Articles programme. The aircraft are Bell 206 Sea Ranger helicopters previously operated by the US Navy.
US sources said that the transfer was intended to strengthen Sri Lanka’s disaster response capabilities, following the devastating cyclone that struck the island at the end of 2025 and killed more than 600 people. US officials have framed the move as a humanitarian measure aimed at improving aerial rescue and relief operations.
Fair weather will prevail except for a few showers in the Uva, Eastern, Western and Central provinces and in Galle, Matara and Rathnapura districts
Trump cancels US-Iran meetings, urges protesters to take over institutions
Govt. bows to pressure, shelves Grade 6 reforms
AKD: Govt. agenda on track despite Ditwah disaster
SL to receive 10 helicopters from US
Foreign couple held over alleged biopiracy at Horton Plains
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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