Venerable Clergy
The Co-Chairs,
Hon. Ministers,
Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Delegates to the Congress,
Representatives of UN Agencies,
Representatives of Civil Society,
Distinguished Invitees,
Ladies and Gentlemen
I take this opportunity to extend a warm welcome to all delegates and others attending the 8th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific co-hosted by the Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition of Sri Lanka in conjunction with the Local Organizing Committee.
When I see the large number of distinguished persons from across the Asia and Pacific region and beyond, to witness and participate in this important international event, it fills me with great hope to know that the world community continues to join hands in its response to HIV and AIDS.
At the outset, I wish to commend the Ministry of Health and the Local Organizing Committee for their excellent organizational skills My thanks go to everyone who provided expertise in helping to meet the gols of the Congress.
I also wish to pay tribute to the many UN Agencies, including the World Bank, skillfully coordinated by the hard work of UNAIDS, for supporting Sri Lanka’s efforts to make this important event a success, with financial, material and human resource inputs.
I firmly believed that political leadership at the highest level in any country is a vital catalyst in transforming societies. What we do as leaders now will be remembered in the future and will have a direct impact on the lives of future generations.
This is especially relevant to measures that are necessary in bringing about changes in attitude and behaviour among the public. Leadership would also have an impact at policy development and at administrative levels leading to improved attitudes of government officials. All these aspects will uphold our efforts towards strengthening prevention and the control of HIV AIDS.
Sri Lanka is considered a country with a low prevalence of HIV infection. At first glance, it may seem that there is no threat to us. Yet, I am pleased that communities from countries in the Asia and Pacific region have come to Colombo, to work together, to share their experiences and enter into dialogue about HIV AIDS because LOW prevalence does not necessarily mean NO threat. Sri Lanka like other low prevalence countries must remain vigilant to the threat of HIV AIDS.
It is interesting to note that AIDS affects less than 0.1 per cent of Sri Lanka’s population, among high risk groups, it affects less than one per cent. The latest statistics show that up to May 2007, a grand total of 872 persons had been diagnosed as HIV positive, of whom 220 had developed AIDS and 162 had died.
Comparatively small as this figure is in the international context of this great menace, we will not pat ourselves on our backs. For, every death is one too many. Every victim is one too many. Yet, it is important and encouraging to note that as experts see it, Sri Lanka will not have a general epidemic of HIV AIDS in the country, although it has all the factors normally conducive to a high escalation of AIDS victims.
This points to the importance of policies that are directed against addiction to drugs, as well as smoking and alcohol consumption, which are generally considered the stepping stones to substance abuse and addiction. Action to prevent such addiction, comprise key aspects of the social policy of our government. "Mathata Thitha" full stop to alcohol, tobacco and drugs.
Internationally it is important that speedy action is taken to ensure that the drugs to combat this major hazard are readily available to those in need. The new drugs that are being developed should be readily available to the people who are in need as well as to governments. This should not be and undue strain on latter's budgets especially in the less develop or poorer countries of the world.
Undoubtedly, it is essential that wherever possible the State should join hands with the private sector particularly the manufactures and marketers of these drugs to ensure that they are available to the people at reasonable and affordable prices. The threat to the well – being of humanity posed by HIV AIDS is such that it is necessary to re-think established policies with regard to patents and ownership of essential drugs and think in terms of more liberal policies that are based on the needs of the people.
I invite all heads of governments to join together in harmonizing our leadership approaches across the Asia and Pacific region and improve the lot of all our people in the face of the advancing danger of HIV and AIDS. As a mark of such solidarity we must join hands within our respective countries and across borders throughout the Asia-Pacific region, to achieve our objectives, in limiting and hopefully eliminating the spread of HIV AIDS.
The challenge of HIV AIDS is so great that we as political leaders must give it the highest priority, because denial of the crisis can have serious consequences on economic development, social advancement and the very future our societies.
My government has given the highest priority to the improvement of the health of our people. By way of example, the budgetary provisions for health have been increased to ensure a better quality of care to the people of Sri Lanka. The health gains that Sri Lanka has seen, as evidenced by the improving health indicators, are a result of the positive social security measures undertaken by successive governments such as free health care and free education. Provision of free care and treatment to all those living with HIV is the policy of my government.
Prevention and control of HIV AIDS, the care and treatment of people living with HIV, their welfare and that of their families and children, the upholding of their rights, the elimination of stigma and discrimination, will continue to receive the highest priority from the government. For I am, by virtue of my religion, a firm believer in the Buddha’s noble words “Arogya Parama Labha” meaning, as most of you probably know, Good health is the greatest gain.
In closing, I invite you warmly to appreciate the beauty of our country and enjoy our traditionally warm hospitality. And I enjoin you, as you leave our shores, to take away the sentiments enshrined in this timeless blessing – Ayubovan – May you have the blessing of long life.
I wish this Congress all success in its endeavours.
Thank you.
