China Donates 11.48 Mn Metres of School Uniform Fabric to Sri Lanka 📈

The Chinese government has officially handed over a massive consignment of school uniform fabric to support the 2026 academic year, significantly easing the fiscal burden on the state and millions of families. • Overall Figures: A total grant of 11.484 million metres of fabric, valued at approximately LKR 5.6 Bn. The donation arrives in five shipments, with the first three already reaching the Colombo Port. • Beneficiary Impact: The program will benefit approximately 4,418,404 students nationwide. This includes children in all government and government-assisted schools, as well as student monks and lay students in government-approved Pirivenas. • Distribution Timeline: • Official Handover: Completed on January 13, 2026, by Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong. • Zonal Distribution: Scheduled to commence on January 19, 2026, to ensure students receive uniforms within the month. • Strategic Context: This donation marks the fourth consecutive year of China’s school uniform aid project (starting 2023), covering 100% of the national requirement for 2026. The move supports educational equity and provides vital social safety nets during the country's ongoing economic recovery. _Note: Distribution details based on provisional Ministry of Education schedules._