The pregnant women at all levels of society irrespective of their income levels would receive Rs. 2,000 worth nutrition pack six months before and four months after the childbirth and the State Ministry said that they would not receive cash in lieu of the pack.

The programme was aimed at controlling the low birth weight of babies as the low birth weight has a long term impact on the child, said Ms.Rosy Senanayake, State Minister for Child Affairs. She further said that this was the reason why the government had decided to provide nutrition packs instead of providing cash. According to statistics there are about 16-18 percent low weight births in Sri Lanka.