Decline in the suicide rate in Sri Lanka –Health Minister

Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva says there is a decline in the suicide rate in Sri Lanka during the period of past few years.
Programmes launched island wide by the Ministry of Health with the view of developing the mental health of persons have largely contributed to this remarkable change in the suicide rate.
The Minister revealed this information at a media briefing held in Colombo today for the launching of the first national report on Harassment and Health in Sri Lanka. The report has focused attention on various types of violence prevailing in the society.
These are violence against children and youth, negligence of elders and sadistic, self-inflicted and group violence. The government has implemented effective programmes to avoid all types of violence. The Minister said the government will ban women leaving the country for serve as house maids in the Middle East countries with the view of minimizing violence against children.