Minister wants Lankans to halve sugar intake

Nadira Gunatilleke

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena urged all Lankans to cut down their sugar intake by 50 percent and enjoy long life. Minister Sirisena said if a person fell on the road in a rural area, the entire village gathers around him/her and take him to the nearest hospital for treatment. But if the same thing happens in an urban area, nobody look at the fallen person. Nobody come forward to assist him/her or her or to take that person to a hospital. If people understand the reality of life, they will not behave in this manner. Minister Sirisena expressed those views during a ceremony held in Colombo yesterday to mark the National Health Week.

He pointed out that certain people did not report to work on December 12 thinking that the world is going to end. Some were expecting darkness to descend on December 12 and stayed at home without going out. All the people want to live longer in good health. "That is why they work all 365 days earning money. But they carry a heavy burden with them which has a drastic impact on their health, he said.

"There are 1.3 million public servants at the moment and many of them carry a heavy burden on their shoulders. A relaxed mind gives a healthy life. If people live knowing and thinking they will die one day, they will be able to live a healthy and long life," Minister Sirisena added.