Sri Lanka

Save the Children has been working in Sri Lanka since the 1970s, supporting children affected by poverty, conflict and natural disasters. In recent years, our programs have worked closely with local and national actors, including the private sector, to support the National School Meal Programme, strengthen systems and services in child protection and education, build community resilience to disasters & shocks, improve access to social protection, and empower civil society organisations to drive positive change for and with children.  

Our priority is to ensure that the systems, partnerships, and local capacities built over the years remain strong and functional. Each of our programmes has been designed with sustainability in mind, transferring knowledge, embedding national ownership, and aligning with government priorities.

By empowering partners to lead and ensuring communities and institutions have the tools and systems they need, we are ensuring that the benefits of our work will continue to reach children and families.

Sri Lanka is home to an estimated 6.2 million children, whose rights, wellbeing, and future opportunities must be protected and upheld. While the country has made significant progress over the years, many children continue to face growing challenges that affect their safety, development, and ability to thrive.

In recent years, Sri Lanka has experienced a series of compounding crises. Ongoing recovery from decades of conflict has been followed by the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, the COVID-19 pandemic, and a severe economic crisis. Most recently, Cyclone Ditwah in November 2025 caused widespread flooding and landslides, affecting millions of people and leaving many families displaced, with livelihoods disrupted and services under strain. Together, these shocks have deepened vulnerability across communities and placed increased pressure on families and the systems that support children.

Today, many children are growing up in increasingly challenging conditions. Poverty has risen significantly, affecting millions of families, while economic instability continues to limit access to essential services. Young children are particularly at risk, with high levels of multidimensional poverty impacting their health, nutrition, and development. Ongoing shocks, including the impacts of Cyclone Ditwah, have further increased protection risks and psychosocial distress among children.

Addressing these challenges requires sustained investment in protecting children’s rights, strengthening systems that support families, and ensuring every child can survive, learn, and be protected.