The government is exploring the possibility of allowing registered local footwear manufacturers to supply school shoes for students under the existing voucher scheme, prioritising schools with fewer than 250 students.

The proposal was discussed during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister and Minister of Education Harini Amarasuriya, together with Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti, at the Parliamentary Committee Room.

Under the new joint project by the Education Ministry and the Industries Ministry, students of schools with fewer than 250 children, estate schools with 251–500 students, schools with children with special needs, and pirivena institutions will be eligible to purchase locally manufactured school shoes using the voucher provided by the Ministry of Education.

The Sri Lanka Institute of Textile and Apparel will monitor the quality standards of the footwear.

Only manufacturers registered with the Industries Ministry will be selected, while producers have agreed to offer a one-year warranty for each pair of shoes. With suppliers visiting schools directly, officials say students will be able to select the correct shoe size more reliably.

A pilot project has been launched in the Western and Southern Provinces, with expansion to the rest of the country to be considered based on feasibility assessments, the Prime Minister noted.

The meeting was attended by Education Ministry Secretary Nalaka Kaluwawe, Industries Ministry Secretary Thilaka Jayasundara, and other officials.