Sri Lanka has begun enforcing a ban on fast food and sweets in schools from Tuesday, in a bid to curb rising rates of diabetes and heart disease among children.
The government says the move is part of efforts to address growing concerns over childhood obesity, even as the country continues to grapple with widespread poverty and food insecurity affecting many households.
Public health inspectors said they had started implementing new guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education, which prohibit schools from providing food and drinks high in sugar, salt and fat.
The restrictions ban items such as hot dogs, burgers, pizzas, doughnuts, ice cream, biscuits, flavoured milk, energy drinks, pastries and deep-fried snacks. Even condiments like tomato sauce are included under the guidelines, affecting meals served to about four million students nationwide.
“Poor eating habits among children directly contribute to the increase in nutritional problems and, later, to the rising incidence of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer,” the ministry said in a statement dated Monday.
While Sri Lanka lacks comprehensive national data on childhood diabetes and related illnesses, officials say anecdotal evidence suggests a steady rise in cases.
Government figures from 2024 show that 12 percent of schoolchildren aged 13 to 17 are overweight, while a further 3 percent are classified as obese.
The ministry has instructed schools to promote healthier alternatives, including rice, fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, meat, eggs, natural fruit juice, fresh milk, and tea or coffee with minimal sugar.
It also issued sample menus promoting “healthy and highly nutritious” meals using locally sourced ingredients.
Under a 122-page guideline seen by AFP, schools are also barred from allowing advertising or sponsorship from companies marketing “unhealthy food” at school events.
Despite the policy shift, malnutrition remains a concern. According to UNICEF, around 17 percent of children under five in Sri Lanka suffer from stunting.
Meanwhile, about a quarter of Sri Lanka’s 22 million people lived below the poverty line in 2024, although the World Bank projects that figure could fall to around one-fifth this year.
