Save the Children in Sri Lanka

17/08/2026

🍲 Behind every nutritious morning meal in ECCD centres are dedicated meal providers preparing food for young children.

Through Save the Children’s PALAM/A II Project, made possible by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's McGovern-Dole Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program, we recently completed the first round of commodity distributions in Colombo and Ratnapura, reaching over 500 meal providers in Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) centres.

Meal providers received locally sourced rice and canned fish to support the preparation of daily, nutritious, morning meals for pre-school children.

Alongside this, we will work closely with meal providers to strengthen knowledge and practice on safe food handling, hygiene, storage, and cooking methods, while reinforcing the importance of providing balanced nutrition during the early years.

These efforts support the national ECCD morning meal programme and help ensure young children receive the nutrition they need during this critical stage of growth and development.

12/08/2026

What does recovery look like for a child after a disaster? 🤔 Sometimes, it begins with a safe space to play 🧸, connect 🫂 and be heard 🩵

With support from EU Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid, our technical partner Centre for Children's Happiness : CCH recently delivered a two-day TeamUp Facilitator Training for 45 volunteers from Sarvodaya in Badulla and Nuwara Eliya, as part of the 'Strengthening Protection and Cash Assistance for Disaster-Affected Communities in Sri Lanka' project.

The training equipped facilitators to deliver structured psychosocial support through TeamUp, using play and movement-based activities designed for children aged 6–18.

Through practical demonstrations, role plays, group activities and discussions, participants strengthened their skills in child safeguarding, inclusive facilitation and creating safe, supportive and child-centred spaces where children can connect, express themselves and recover.

By strengthening the capacity of those working directly with children in disaster-affected communities, Save the Children and our partners are helping ensure children have access to the support, connection and safe spaces they need as they recover and rebuild.

07/08/2026

Access to nutritious food and supportive early learning environments are essential for a child’s development in the early years 🍎✏️

Through Save the Children’s PALAM/A II Project, made possible by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's McGovern-Dole Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program, we are supporting the national Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) morning meal programme in over 500 ECCD centres in the Colombo and Ratnapura districts, reaching nearly 10,000 pre-school children.

We provide locally sourced commodities, including rice and canned fish, to help ensure children receive nutritious meals during their early learning years.

Alongside this, we will work with ECCD officers, teachers, and caregivers to strengthen care and learning environments for young children at home and in ECCD centres, promoting positive parenting, responsive feeding, and early nutrition practices.

This work is implemented in collaboration with the National Secretariat for Early Childhood Development (NSECD) under the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, the Family Health Bureau of the Ministry of Health, and the National Institute of Education.

30/07/2026

24/07/2026

This week, Save the Children had the privilege of meeting Hon. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, and Hon. Dr Madhura Senevirathna, Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education, alongside leadership of the School Health and Nutrition Division, to discuss the establishment of Sri Lanka’s first National School Meal Forum.

Envisioned as a collaborative platform to strengthen school feeding programmes, the forum will bring together government institutions, development partners, and implementing agencies to share good practices, foster innovation, and enhance coordination.

The meeting was highly productive, with the Prime Minister expressing strong support and encouraging continued collaboration with Ministry leadership to advance the initiative.

21/07/2026

Together with our partners Sarvodaya, Centre for Children's Happiness : CCH and Foundation for Innovative Social Development (FISD), we recently marked the district-level launch of the ‘Strengthening Protection and Cash Assistance for Disaster-Affected Communities in Sri Lanka’ project in 📍Badulla.

With support from EU Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid, this initiative will support nearly 12,000 people - including around 3,000 children - impacted by cyclone Ditwah across Badulla, Nuwara Eliya, and Kandy with cash assistance, protection, and mental health and psychosocial support.

The launch brought together key government representatives, including the Badulla District Secretary, and partner organisations, reaffirming our shared commitment to working together to deliver timely, community-centred support and help families recover with dignity.

17/07/2026

The earliest years of life are a critical period of growth and development, when children begin to build the foundations that shape how they learn, relate to others, and experience the world.

In these years, development is shaped not only by what children are taught, but by the care, relationships, and environments around them.

Play, interaction, emotional security, and consistent care all play an important role in helping young children develop confidence, curiosity, and the ability to engage with others.

This broader approach to early childhood development recognises that children need nurturing environments in order to thrive.

Through our McGovern-Dole Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program (PALAM/A II Project), made possible by U.S. Department of Agriculture, we’ll be working with caregivers in Colombo and Ratnapura to strengthen understanding of positive parenting, early nutrition, and key aspects of early childhood care and development.

14/07/2026

The first years of a child's life are some of the most important.

During this time, children develop the skills they need to learn, communicate, build relationships, and engage with the world around them. These experiences - shaped by nutrition, care, play, and everyday interactions with caregivers and their surroundings - are all part of Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD).

When children receive the support they need in these critical years, they are better able to learn, grow, and thrive throughout their lives.

That's why investing in the early years matters.

Through our McGovern-Dole Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program (PALAM/A II Project), made possible by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, we are working with ECCD centres in Colombo and Ratnapura to support nutritious meals for young children and strengthen the foundations for healthy growth and development.

As we mark National Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Week, we're reminded that every child deserves the strongest possible start in life.

30/06/2026

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Save the Children International in Asia is proud to support AVPN Global Conference 2026 as an Outreach Partner.

26/06/2026

As part of Save the Children’s campaign, we’re highlighting the importance of safer driving practices ⚠️

Our driver, Yogachandran, from Trincomalee shares a powerful message: most accidents happen not by intention, but by human error - and moments of stress, distraction, or carelessness ‼️

Simple actions like wearing seat belts, staying alert, and driving responsibly can save lives. Because every person on the road is important to someone 🚗

At Save the Children, we’re committed to looking out for one another and making every journey safer - so everyone gets home safely.