PM requests UNICEF to increase assistance

COLOMBO (News 1st); Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena urged the UNICEF to increase assistance for women and children in rural and urban low income groups. 

The UNICEF delegation headed by Regional Director for South Asia George Laryea-Adjei called on the Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena on 24th August.

The UNICEF Regional Director pointed out that UNICEF has initiated a number of projects for women and children and assured; “We are with you at these difficult times". The UNICEF regional director also stated that the UNICEF programmes in Sri Lanka will be expanded. 

He added that the ongoing projects include supplying clean drinking water, supplying education materials and other critical supplies to children and families in the country.

Prime Minister Gunawardena stressed the importance of supply of midday meals to school children as it helps to regulate their nutrition intake, and emphasized that the programme is an incentive for rural and urban poor children to attend school.

Regional Director Laryea-Adje said an additional US$ 25 million has been allocated to Sri Lanka by UNICEF for education and child-related programmes, and to support pregnant women and lactating mothers.