Sri Lanka has officially launched the Investment Case on Alcohol Control and the World Health Organization’s (WHO) SAFER Technical Package, aimed at reducing the health, social and economic harm caused by alcohol consumption.
The initiative was launched on Monday under the patronage of Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, together with WHO Representative to Sri Lanka Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav.
Speaking at the event, Jayatissa said no economic profit or industry interest would be placed above the health of the public, stressing that protecting people’s lives and wellbeing remains the Government’s top priority.
He said alcohol-related harm affects not only public health but also imposes significant social and economic costs on the country, adding that the Government would strengthen regulations, particularly to protect young people and prevent the normalisation of harmful alcohol use.
The newly launched WHO SAFER Technical Package outlines five evidence-based strategies to help countries reduce alcohol-related disease, deaths and social harm, while the Investment Case highlights the health and economic benefits of strengthening alcohol control policies in Sri Lanka.
The programme was organised by the Health Ministry in collaboration with the WHO, Movendi International, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the UN Interagency Task Force on Non-Communicable Diseases. (Newswire)