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Sri Lanka

Country Nutrition Situation

Sri Lanka faces a persistent triple burden of malnutrition, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis. Undernutrition remains a public health concern among vulnerable groups, especially under-five children. Simultaneously, overweight and obesity are rising across all ages, contributing to the growing prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Micronutrient deficiencies, the third aspect of malnutrition, weaken immunity, impair sensory and cognitive functions, and reduce productivity. Furthermore, malnutrition impairs workforce productivity, increases healthcare expenses, hampers child development, and imposes an economic burden on families. It stunts national economic growth, undermines global competitiveness, and threatens social stability. The generational effects of malnutrition perpetuate cycles of poverty and underdevelopment. Therefore, effectively managing nutritional issues is more critical than ever to restore Sri Lanka's economy and set it back on the path to recovery.

Coordinator

TBD

Coordinated By United National World Food Programme Sri Lanka TBD

Governance structure

In Sri Lanka, SUN Business Network is convened by the United Nations World Food Programme. Since the time of the launch in 2019 March, 44 businesses and 100+ SMEs have signed up as SUN Business Network Sri Lanka members. There is a Steering Committee consisting of seven private sector organizations representatives guiding and supporting the implementation of the SBN strategy in Sri Lanka coordinating and collaborating with the United Nations World Food Programme Sri Lanka country office.

All SBN members are encouraged to participate in one or more of four SBN SL thematic focus areas that drive the strategy of the network:  Advocacy and networking, Education and Behaviour Change, Nutrition value chain and enabling environment through markets which specifically focus on the areas of Promoting Nutritious Foods, Producing Nutritious Foods, Workplace Nutrition and Wellbeing and SMEs development.

What is SBN doing in Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, the SBN’s overarching aim is to bring together, assess and advocate the private sector with regards to nutrition and nutrition-led initiatives – with a goal of reaching 60 members, comprising actors at both national and sub-national levels, in the coming years.

In light of this expansion, SBN Sri Lanka has four focal points of activity:

Enhancing workplace health and nutrition. Educating employers on the importance of good nutrition; helping them access healthy foods for their staff; and encouraging commitments from companies to make this a priority.
Producing nutritious food products. Supporting the fortification of foods to improve their nutrient value; pursuing new initiatives; and championing national policies and standards.
Promoting nutritious foods. Increasing awareness of, and subsequently demand for, nutritious foods; seeking new opportunities to educate consumers on making healthy choices; and supporting communication strategies.
Helping small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) grow. Providing guidance and support in areas such as finance, digitisation, and marketing, to assist these businesses in their development and enhance their impact in the wider nutritious food chain.

Year of Action

This year, under the theme ‘Accelerating Progress at SDG Halftime’, the United Nations Day was celebrated in Sri Lanka by providing a platform to showcase the progress made towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Sri Lanka.  This year, the celebration featured a variety of exhibition stalls, providing a platform for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and projects supported by the UN System in Sri Lanka to showcase their impactful work.

World Food Programme’s stall spotlighted the SUN Business Network and we had 4 SMEs onboard with us on this day. DNS Food Products – brings you organic herbal porridge, YANC Natural Blend – brings you Sri Lankan Spices and Cargills Ceylon’s ‘Lak Bojun’ – a SBN partnership with Cargills Ceylon which promotes healthy meal options to consumers at an affordable rate, were the SMEs spotlighted.

SBN has provided support these SMEs in repositioning their business models through Business Coaching Programmes, Products Branding & Designing, Certification Assistance etc

Celebrating 2023 United Nations Day in Sri Lanka

Sun Countries Take Action

SUN Business Network Bi-Annual Gathering was successfully held on Friday, March 24, 2023. The participants who have joined us were the SUN Business Network Private Sector Members, SUN Business Network SME Members, Development Partners, Representatives from the Government, Diplomatic Missions, and other UN Agencies in Sri Lanka. Special Invitees of the event were Dr.Sulakshana Jayawardena – Additional Secretary to the President/ Director General – Partnership Secretariat for WFP Cooperation at the Presidential Secretariat & Dr. Susie Perera – Deputy Director General Public Health Services II at the Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka. Mr. Abdur Rahim Siddiqui, Country Director / Representative of the UN World Food Programme in Sri Lanka started the event with opening remarks and highlighted the importance of SBN and WFP’s support to SBN as its current convener.

Dr. Susie Perera, Deputy Director General – Public Health Services II at the Ministry of Health delivered a special address on “Emergency Nutrition Action Plan and the progress of Implementation” as few SBN Private Sector members contributed & made commitments to the Emergency Nutrition Action Plan. Dr Sulakshana Jayawardena, Additional Secretary to the President /Director General – Partnership Secretariat for WFP Cooperation at the Presidential Secretariat then delivered a special address on “Country Food Security Situation and the Government’s Response”.

Dialog Axiata PLC, one of the SBN Members in Sri Lanka delivered a presentation on “Digital Interventions for Securing Nutrition” and highlighted member commitments as a SBN SL member who was active since the launch of the network in 2019. Event was followed by another special address by Mr. Ajith D Perera from FCCISL as he highlighted the importance of SBN and the successful partnership FCCISL had with SBN during its first pilot project “Implementation of Soft Skills Development in the SMEs Sector”.  The event also highlighted WFP’s continuous operations in fighting hunger worldwide as it celebrated its anniversary – WFP AT 60.