The SAARC Social Charter, which aims at the promotion of welfare of the people of South Asia by improving their quality of life, requires the Member States to formulate a National Plan of Action to operationalize the provisions of the Charter. In pursuance of this objective, the Office of the Prime Minister took the initiative to formulate the National Plan of Action, in consultation with relevant line Ministries and other governmental and non-governmental organisations. This comprehensive document aims at giving effect to the provisions of the SAARC Social Charter, which are most relevant to Sri Lanka, with specific goals and targets to be achieved within a specified time frame. Source: SAARC Social Charter