December 23, Colombo (LNW): From 2026, the government will extend its national initiative providing sanitary napkins to schoolgirls across Sri Lanka, reaching more than one million students from Grade 6 upwards, Prime Minister and Minister of Education Dr Harini Amarasuriya announced.
The decision was revealed during a consultation on school hygiene held at the Education Ministry yesterday (22), with Deputy Minister Dr Madura Seneviratne also attending.
Originally launched in 2024 to assist girls in rural, estate, and economically disadvantaged areas, the programme will now be implemented in all schools nationwide. The government has allocated Rs. 1.44 billion for the scheme, which will provide each eligible student with an annual voucher valued at Rs. 1,440 to purchase sanitary napkins. Vouchers will be distributed to schools via the Provincial Education Offices.
To ensure safety and hygiene, only products supplied by institutions certified by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) will be approved under the programme.
During the discussion, Dr Amarasuriya emphasised the importance of allowing students to select sanitary products that meet their individual needs. Officials were instructed to develop voucher and distribution systems that consider regional differences and encourage environmentally responsible disposal practices in schools.
Education Ministry Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewa and other senior officials were present at the event.
