Lanka's HIV preventive mechanism hailed

Nadira Gunatilleke

The entire world should admire Sri Lanka's HIV/AIDS control effort which kept the country's HIV/AIDS prevalence rate at 0.1 during the past 25 years, UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Asia and the Pacific Director Steve Kraus said .

Kraus said no other country was able to achieve this and praised Sri Lanka's STD Control Programme.

He was on a two day tour of Sri Lanka to inspect Sri Lanka's HIV/AIDS control programme implementation and progress.

Kraus made these views when he met Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena at his office on Thursday.

Minister Sirisena said the secret behind Sri Lanka's successful HIV/AIDS control is the country's strong traditional cultural foundation.

"Sri Lanka also faces common problems such as internal and external migration, commercial sex trade, tourism, but Sri Lanka did not allow to break down its strong religious and cultural values," he said.

UNAIDS provided US $10,000 to the Positive Women's Network. The Red Ribbon Award Secretariat contributed to the grant. Minister Sirisena handed over the cheque to the organisation.

Health Ministry Secretary Dr Nihal Jayatilleke and Additional Secretary Dr Palitha Mahipala were also present.