Plan International is marking its exit from Sri Lanka with a programme to provide nutritional food packs for schoolchildren in four districts worst hit by the prevailing economic woes.
Its launch in collaboration with the National Secretariat for NGOs took place yesterday (22) at a simple ceremony at Seevali Primary School at Wilachchiya in Anuradhapura.
The chief incumbent of Pemaduwa Purana Vihara, who spoke on the occasion, recalled with gratitude the services rendered by Plan International to the area.
Adding to that, the school’s principal commended the global charity for the work it had done to develop the area’s schools.
Director-general of the National Secretariat for NGOs Sanjeewa Wimalagunaratne stressed the need to utilize the services of NGOs with a positive mindset for the country’s development.
He said that facilitation and background planning has been finalized for all such organizations to function smoothly in Sri Lanka, with focus on getting INGOs that existed the country to return as a timely need.
Wimalagunaratne said all attempts would be made for the return of Plan International to the country in his capacity as head of the National Secretariat for NGOs.
The ceremony was made colorful with dancing and singing performances that were well received by the invitees alike.
Also present were Plan International’s Sri Lanka representative Sumudu Kannangara, project accountant Saliya Alahakoon and Anuradhapura district microfinance coordinator H.M. Abeyratne.
Under the programme, 21,350 schoolchildren in Anuradhapura, Moneragala, Mullaitivu and Ampara will be provided with a food pack as per Health Ministry recommendations and adequate for seven days.
It is being independently supervised by Ernst and Young auditors.
In Anuradhapura, students of 62 schools will benefit from the programme under the coordination of the northcentral provincial education ministry’s health and nutrition division and the district office of National Secretariat for NGOs.
