Minister warns school canteen owners:

Serve standard food items

Wrong meal cause for ailments:

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

Minister Bandula Gunawardena

Action will be taken against, School canteens which do not follow the Health Ministry circular, said Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena.

The Minister was addressing a media briefing at the Education Ministry Monday.

Minister Gunawardena said that a large number of students have faced many problems due to taking meals that are not nutritious.

"Good health and nutrition are important for the physical and mental health development of a child," he said.

Schoolchildren have faced these health problems because of the unhealthy food available in the market today.

Parents should pay attention to their children's health, he added.

The Minister noted that the food in school canteens caused health problems such as toothaches,osteoporosis, diabetes and cancer.

"A student's ill health affects their skills development," he said.

"Because of that, it is important to strengthen children's food and growing life styles," the Minister said.

Education Ministry Secretary HM Gunasekara and Additional Secretaries were present.