Pathfinder, Akshaya Patra Unite to Launch Free Mid-Day Meals in Colombo Schools

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Pathfinder Foundation has officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India’s renowned Akshaya Patra Foundation to initiate a model mid-day meal program in selected schools in Colombo. The agreement was signed last (4) morning at the Pathfinder Foundation headquarters in Peliyagoda.

The Akshaya Patra Foundation, headquartered in Bengaluru, India, is the world’s largest non-profit organization providing free school meals. Operating across 16 Indian states and 3 major cities, the foundation currently serves nutritious mid-day meals to over 2.25 million students in 23,581 schools daily. Its operations are supported by 78 centralized kitchens and adhere to international food safety and quality standards.

Akshaya Patra is also a key partner in the Indian Government’s flagship “PM POSHAN” nutrition program, with support from major philanthropists and business leaders.

The collaboration was initiated following a recent meeting between Pathfinder Foundation’s Founder, Milinda Moragoda, and Akshaya Patra Chairman, Shri Madhu Pandit Dasa, at the foundation’s headquarters in Bengaluru. During the meeting, both parties discussed the feasibility of launching a pilot mid-day meal initiative in selected Sri Lankan schools.

Under the newly signed MoU, the Pathfinder Foundation will implement a model school meal project in Colombo, with Akshaya Patra providing technical and operational support for food preparation and distribution.

The agreement was signed by K. Balasundaram, Director and CEO of MMBL Pathfinder Group, and Bernard Goonetilleke, Chairman of the Pathfinder Foundation. Representing Akshaya Patra were Executive Officers Sanchalapathi Dasa and Siva Suveer Sanidas, who joined the signing virtually from Bengaluru.