Background Information

Poverty in Sri Lanka

Lotus Lanka passionately believes that education is one of the most important factors in helping people emerge from generational poverty. Children who live in poverty have their childhood plagued by hardship and suffering and without the educational opportunities that they deserve, face an extremely uncertain future. Although Sri Lanka has experienced serious difficulties with its education system in the past, substantial and significant gains in education reform have been made in recent years. Unfortunately, despite this progress, many children still lack the educational opportunities that they need.

After emerging from a three-decade civil war in 2009, Sri Lanka has made significant progress in enrolling children in primary school – yet, many children remain out of school or have a high risk of dropping out. Particularly, girls in rural communities, children with learning disabilities and youths who have no choice but to work and support their family are the ones that are at most risk of having their human right of education stolen from them. Lotus Lanka aims to ensure that more disadvantaged children receive educational opportunities in the ultimate goal of breaking the cycle of generational poverty.