On 4 October 2012, the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka joined the SUN Movement with a letter of commitment from HE Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the President. At the time, Sri Lanka had established an Inter-ministerial National Nutrition Council and a multi-sectoral National Steering Committee for Nutrition. Nutrition was also one of the key priorities of the government “Mahinda Chintana” development plan. In additional, a National Nutrition Secretariat had been set up at the Presidential Secretariat to provide technical and coordinating support in collaboration with UNICEF.
Sri Lanka
Progress
Nutrition situation
17.3%
Under Five Stunting
15.1%
Under Five Wasting
2%
Under Five Overweight
82%
0-5 Months Exclusive Breastfeeding
32.6%
Woman Anaemia 15-49 years
12.7%
Adolescent Overweight Male
11.2%
Adolescent Overweight Female
16.4%
Adult Overweight Male
20.8%
Adult Overweight Female
3%
Adult Obesity Male
7.6%
Adult Obesity Female
7%
Adult Diabetes Male
7.7%
Adult Diabetes Female
Strategic objectives
- Bringing people together
- Coherent policy and legal framework
- Aligning programs around a Common Results Framework
- Financial tracking and resource mobilization
The National Nutrition Council (NNC) – Sri Lanka’s multi-sectoral platform – has been extended to include 16 ministries, in addition to UN and Civil Society Networks in 2017. Since its creation, the NCC has been chaired by President Sirisena, reflecting a high level of political commitment to nutrition, regardless of changes in administration. Platform activities are integrated into the national development planning mechanisms and monitored annually through a reporting mechanism established in March 2016 strengthened by the Multi-Sectoral Action Plan on Nutrition (MsAPN) 2017-2020. The plat- form is currently exploring the establishment of a Business Network to encourage public-private partnerships on nutrition.
Last updated: November 2017
2016
Last updated: December 2016
2015
Last updated: October 2015
The 2013-2016 Multi-Sectoral Action Plan on Nutrition (MsAPN), which accompanies the National Nutrition Policy is being implemented by all 16 line ministries, nine provincial authorities and 25 districts. This Plan is monitored regularly, through national and regional-level progress review meetings and contributions from the multi-sectoral platform. This Plan is in the process of being updated to cover the years 2017-2020. A national strategic review on food security and nutrition towards Zero Hunger was launched 13 February 2017, to identify gaps and push policies to achieve SDG 2 by 2030. The Ministry of Health is carrying out a review of the nutrition policies in Sri Lanka, following reviews of the National Nutrition Policy by the SUN Civil Society Network (2016) and UNICEF (2015).
Last updated: November 2017
2016
Last updated: December 2016
2015
A multi-stakholer NNP Review Committee has been established and meeting was convened to finalise the Terms of Reference (ToR). The ToR outlines the Committee’s role to critically evaluate the NNP and ensures that the NNP is aligned with the Global World Health Assembly Targets 2025 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with strengthened mechanisms for implementation. Nutrition is also mainstreamed in the sectoral policies, including:
- National Agriculture Policy
- National Livestock Development Policy and Strategies
- School Canteen Policy
- Non Communicable Disease Policy
- Early Child Care Development Policy
Draft Advocacy Action Plans for Civil Society Organisations are under development on the specific themes of Food Security and Communication for Better Nutrition. The national legislation covers the Food Act, salt iodisation, food labelling, food advertisement, consumer protection and the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes. Maternity leave covers 6 months paid in the public sector and 3 months in the private sector.
Last updated: October 2015
The country’s common results framework (CRF) monitors the MsAPN and is reviewed on a quarterly basis by the National Nutrition Secretariat, which was set up to enhance the coordination capacity and support the CRF in Sri Lanka. Additionally, the MsAPN is also reviewed in the provinces, districts and divisions every two months. An information system aiming to identify nutritionally at-risk households has been put in place as a continuous process and implemented by the National Nutrition Secretariat. So far, information from all sectors has been collected for over 150,000 children and pregnant women. Within the Ministry of Health, a national nutrition surveillance system was revamped in March 2017 to collect macro-level data. The Ministry of Education has established a school nutrition database, which gathers nutrition-related data of children in school.
Last updated: November 2017
2016
Last updated: December 2016
2015
Last updated: October 2015
The MsAPN has been costed, however, it was found to be unclear regarding stakeholders’ contributions, which means this element will be scaled up for the next iteration of the MsAPN. A nutrition budget line was introduced in 2015 and continued annually with new allocations made towards promoting nutrition. More than 95 per cent of funding comes from the State, whilst the UN supports in filling financial gaps. However, civil society organisations are at risk due to lack of funding.
Last updated: November 2017
2016
monitoring progress and allocating resources to all ongoing programmes.
Last updated: December 2016
2015
Last updated: October 2015
SUN Government Focal Point
Mr. Nalaka Kaluwewe
Additional Secretary, Presidential Secretariat
Donor Convenor
- UNICEF
Leveraging innovation, partnership to shore up food security in Asia and the Pacific
Nutrition Can’t Wait – SUN Civil Society Asia Coordination Group launches advocacy campaign
How broader nutrition-based coordination tackles cultural taboos and empowers women in Sri Lanka
A call for more innovative policies in Asia-Pacific to ensure food security and nutrition in the wake of COVID-19
Impacts of COVID-19 on SMEs in the food system
COVID19 pandemic impact on the future of Southeast Asia’s food security