Programme: Enhancing the Implementation of the Multi-Sectoral Action Plan for Nutrition (MSAPN)
Meeting With: Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperatives
Institution: Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperatives
Venue: Minister’s Office
Date: 9 October 2025
Participants
Government Representatives
Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe – Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperatives
Secretary to the Ministry
Ms. Gilma Dahanayake – Additional Secretary
Ms. Jayawathini – Project Director
Other senior officials
Development Partners & Technical Team
Ms. Visaka Thilakarathna – Project Director, SUN People’s Forum (SUNPF)
Mr. Roshan Dalabandara – Representative, UNICEF
Ms. Sadamali Rajapaksha – Lead Consultant, MSAPN
Mr. Wilfred Narammala – Resource Mobilization Consultant, MSAPN
Ms. Thirumi Hasanga Prasath – Operational Support Consultant, MSAPN
Key Discussions
The meeting was chaired by Hon. Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, with opening remarks delivered by Ms. Gilma Dahanayake, Additional Secretary to the Ministry.
The Hon. Minister requested detailed clarification on the management and operational structure of the Multi-Sector Action Plan for Nutrition (MSAPN) and the role of the SUN People’s Forum (SUNPF) in facilitating implementation.
Ms. Visaka Thilakarathna explained SUNPF’s facilitation role and highlighted MSAPN as the national coordination framework for multi-sectoral nutrition actions across national, provincial, district, divisional, and community levels.
A video presentation illustrated the MSAPN concept and governance structure, followed by a technical presentation emphasizing the importance of a multi-sectoral approach to nutrition, an initiative originally launched under the leadership of the President’s Office in 2013.
Discussions underscored the critical role of the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperatives in leading nutrition-sensitive, non-health interventions, particularly in ensuring food availability, affordability, and accessibility for nutritionally vulnerable populations.
Key Decisions and Follow-Up Actions
Submission of MSAPN Project Documentation
The Hon. Minister requested the submission of the complete MSAPN project file and supporting documentation for detailed review.
Presentation to the National Food Policy and Coordination Committee
It was recommended that MSAPN be formally presented to the National Food Policy and Coordination Committee, chaired by the Hon. Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperatives together with the Hon. Minister of Agriculture — the highest national coordination mechanism for food security and nutrition.
Progress Review Report
The Secretary to the Ministry requested a six-month progress review report on MSAPN implementation
