‘Pasal Diriya’ School Meal Programme

Objective

Launched on 3rd October 2022 to mark National Children’s Day, Pasal Diriya is a collaborative initiative between the John Keells Group and the Ministry of Education. The programme addresses Sri Lanka’s food crisis by providing nutritious meals to schoolchildren during school days through a pilot in 12 selected schools. Its objectives are to reduce child malnutrition, improve school attendance, and enhance overall learning outcomes.

Structure

• Provision of dry rations for the preparation of daily nutritious meals.
• Construction of school kitchens in identified schools within these locations.

Target Group

• 12 selected schools in the Western, Southern and Eastern Provinces as well as three pre-schools in the North Central Province.

Impact (2022 to 2024)

• No of children supported: 3,005
• No of meals provided: 525,808
• No of kitchens constructed: 10

In addition to the Pasal Diriya school meal programme, Keells, through its crowdfunding initiative Keells Meal Donation, provides meals to preschool children in 26 locations to improve nutrition, support healthy growth, and encourage active engagement in education.