All sweetmeats in the market should indicate the sugar content in them, Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said.
The gazette notification on this will be issued soon, Senaratne said addressing the gathering after handing over appointments for 1,371 pupil nurses.
He said that he will take this initiative to protect people from diabetes and other Non- Communicable Diseases (NCDs).The same traffic light system introduced for sweetened drinks will be introduced for sweetmeats.
Dr.Senaratne, about 70 percent of deaths in Sri Lanka are due to NCDs such as heart diseases, hypertension, diabetes, cancers etc and steps have already been taken to address this issue. Accordingly the tax on tobacco increased up to 90 percent while the pictorial warning on cigarette packets increased up to 80 percent. Selling of cigarettes banned around schools for 100 meter radius.
From last budget a 3.24 percent allocated for health. Even a point of increase means several billions of rupees. A new nursing faculty will be constructed affiliated to the Sri Jayewardenepura University at a cost of Rs 16.5 billion.
There are plenty of employment opportunities available for nurses in countries such as US and UK, the Minister said.
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