March 28, Colombo (LNW): The government is set to roll out a nationwide initiative aimed at enhancing food security by establishing new restaurants that will provide nutritious and affordable meals to the public.
This programme seeks to ensure that citizens have access to high-quality food at reasonable prices while promoting healthier dietary habits across the country.
The initiative will be implemented through a collaborative effort involving the National Food Promotion Board, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Agriculture.
Additionally, existing restaurant owners will be engaged to secure their participation and support in expanding the availability of healthy meal options.
The first model restaurant under this project is set to open on April 01 in Narahenpita, serving as a prototype for future establishments.
As part of the programme’s second phase, the government plans to introduce measures aimed at improving the quality and hygiene standards of existing restaurants.
This will include regulatory enhancements, improved food safety measures, and incentives for businesses that prioritise nutrition and health-conscious meal preparation.
A preliminary discussion regarding the initiative took place at the Presidential Secretariat, where officials from the relevant ministries and agencies convened to outline the project’s key objectives.
During the meeting, participants underscored the importance of ensuring the public’s right to safe and nutritious food.
They discussed strategies to create an environment where consumers can access meals that meet stringent health standards, fostering greater public confidence in food quality.
Further deliberations focused on how the private sector can collaborate with the government to achieve these objectives. The discussion also touched upon the practical enforcement of existing food safety regulations and how businesses can be encouraged to adhere to best practices in food preparation and hygiene.
Officials explored the role of the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative in complementing these efforts by promoting higher sanitation standards within the food sector.
The meeting was attended by senior government officials, including Kapila Bandara, Senior Additional Secretary to the President, and S.P.C. Sugeeshwara, Additional Secretary to the President, along with representatives from the National Food Promotion Board, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Agriculture.
