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| Tuesday, 24 June 2003 |
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President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga hosted a discussion on June 16 at the President's House on development of mental health in support of the Project Mental Health and Psychosocial Care to be undertaken by the National Council for Mental Health. The distinguished invitees included Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe Minister Karu Jayasuriya, leaders of the business community and a number of others associated with the project, according to a press release reissued by National Council Mental Health. The proposed Project located at Gorakana has been developed to widen the scope of activities and services presently carried out at Sahanaya Mental Health Centre at Borella. This centre will provide services to meet the needs of people suffering from disabilities associated with long-term mental illness trauma and violence as well as those with psychosocial distress both outpatient and residential basis. This is the first time that the Head of the State and the Prime Minister has taken part in an event in support of mental health development in Sri Lanka and in this respect this indeed was a historic occasion. The Prime Minister thanked the National Council for its good work and expressed his commitment and support towards the development of mental health services in Sri Lanka through the cooperation of the non-governmental sector and the community. The President spoke of the suffering of those with mental disorders due to stigma and non availability of services. She emphasized the importance of violence in the causation of mental distress and reviewed the activities undertaken by the government following the Presidential Health Task Force recommendations since 1998. The President also expressed her fullest support and commitment towards the development of mental health and the success of the new Sahanaya project. Following a lively discussion during which a number of invitees pledged substantial support for the new project the President hosted a reception. |
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