Malnutrition: Colombo, N'eliya top the list

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

A Medical Research Institute research found that Colombo and Nuwara Eliya have the highest percentage of malnutrition and highest use of wheat flour, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said.

Addressing a ceremony yesterday, Minister Sirisena said that according to the research, the majority of the people in Colombo and Nuwara Eliya use food processed with wheat flour. The National Nutrition Council has already implemented programmes to minimize the use of wheat flour, he said.

Minister Sirisena said doctors have informed him about the excessive use of a capsule by the public, marketed by a private company.

"Around 50 percent of the income earned by the rural and urban population is spent to buy items related to beauty culture. Millions of a specific capsule which claims that it gives good complexion is sold countrywide. The same company is planning to stop producing this capsule and introduce another for a higher price," Sirisena said. "It is schoolchildren who are most affected by this type of marketing. Specialist doctors say that these capsules contain certain substances harmful to humans and cause health complications.

'Arrangements will be made to educate the public on this type of issue," Minister Sirisena added.