‘Sexually transmitted diseases spread due to increased arrival of tourists’

Due to continual and increased arrival of tourists in Sri Lanka, there has been an increase in sexually transmitted diseases in the Eastern Province and measures are being taken to control them, Eastern Province Health Services Director, Dr. K.muruganandan said at a workshop for media personnel, conducted to mark World Aids Day on December 1, by the Kalmunai Regional Health, Services office, for a project of prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS, held on Saturday.

He said, “There have been increased arrivals of tourists in Trincomalee District, Nilaveli, Batticaloa District , Pasikudah and Amparai District , Pottuvil, Ullai, in the Eastern Province. Due to this there has been an increase in sexually transmitted diseases.” He said that during the past five years, 6, 249 people had been identified as affected by sexually transmitted diseases in the three districts. Out of them, this year alone 774 were identified.

According to the statistics for the past five years,4230 were identified in the Batticaloa District, 1239 in Amparai, and 780 in Trincomalee who were, affected by sexually transmitted diseases. “Therefore in order to increase the awareness of the public, we are conducting seminars, counselling and carrying slogans. .Bearing this in mind, the public should act with great care,” he said.

“Further, media personnel should advise the public through the media on the dangers of unsafe sex and how to prevent them. All those who have erred in their moral conduct and are affected by it could seek treatment in our hospitals and confidentiality is assured. Such people would be given short term or long term treatment as necessary,” he said.

Therefore in order to increase the awareness of the public, we are conducting seminars, counselling and carrying slogans