News
SL’s suicide rate down to 3,000 in 2019 from 8,000 — the highest in the world in 1995
By Steve A. Morrell
Sri Lanka’s suicide rate dipped to 3,000 in 2019 from an alarming 8,000 per annum in 1995, which was considered the highest in the world at the time, says Dr. Pushpa Ranasinghe, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
It was salutary that suicides in the country saw a gradual decline over the years since then (1995) to settle at 3,000 in 2019. Studies show that suicides are now prevalent more among older people than younger persons, she told a recent discussion initiated by Airtel on mental health in Sri Lanka.
Dr. Ranasinghe said the widespread use of mobile phones and texting for help were instrumental in reducing suicides among young persons. However, this was not of note among older people, both men and women.
Sri Lanka now occupies the 31st position in terms of recorded suicides, she said, adding that the prevalence of suicides among older people is extremely disappointing.
World-wide, the recorded number of suicides was around 800,000 annually, which meant there was a suicide case every 40 seconds, she elaborated.
The primary reason for the increase of suicides among older people was that families usually have no time for the elderly. Loneliness, family isolation, relegated to a corner of the house and not being spoken to, were all symptoms that lead to many such people taking their own lives, Dr. Ranasinghe further said.
Alcohol was also a contributory factor for suicides among older persons, who do not access or take recourse to counseling, thereby leading to despair, she noted.
Strangulation and hanging were the common methods among this group of people to take their own lives. Unlike the elderly, young people were aware of the alarming consequences and are more prone to seek counseling, which Dr. Ranasinghe said, was available on a 24-hour basis.
The NIMH and Sri Lanka Sumithrayo have trained personnel to handle counseling around the clock. The NIMH receives 12,000 calls per year seeking help and advise in any developing circumstance. Positive responses to those seeking advise helped to reduce suicides, she added.
Managing Director, Airtel, Asish Chandra, who addressed participants via an online video call, said 3,000 to 5,000 lives are lost each year due to suicides. It was gratifying to note that more people are now seeking counseling, which is available online as well. Counseling is handled by trained personnel involving doctors and nurses.
It also emerged at the panel discussion that incest among the estate population was also a cause for suicides.
Dr. Ranasinghe said the voice based hotline 1926 could also be used to seek counseling and advice.
Power sector workers shouldn’t be granted year-end bonuses
Leader of the Eksath Janaraja Peramuna (EJP) and former Power Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said that CEB workers shouldn’t be granted year end/Christmas bonuses as they had not contributed to the much favourable current financial status of that state-owned enterprise.
Ex-parliamentarian Ranawaka said that the CEB had earned massive profits solely by implementing extremely unfair tariff structure, therefore workers shouldn’t be paid bonuses.
The former Minister was addressing the media at the EJP Colombo office. Referring to official records, the EJP leader said that the CEB had earned a profit of Rs. 6161 mn in 2023 and also saved Rs. 36 bn. So far this year (January to November), the CEB had recorded Rs. 263 bn profit but the government continued to fleece consumers.
Ranawaka also questioned the failure on the part of the government to provide electricity consumers relief as decided by the Cabinet during the previous government that there would be quarterly revision of pricing formula.
Ranawaka said that the government should explain why it couldn’t decrease fuel prices by a significant amount. The NPP administration should at least admit that it couldn’t do away with the current unbearable tax regime. The ex-parliamentarian asked the NPP to acknowledge that the government feared collapse in case of abolition of heavy taxes on fuel.
The ex-Minister challenged the NPP to prove accusations that had been directed at ministers of previous governments without propagating allegations. According to Ranawaka, both diesel and petrol prices remained high as the government levied Rs 50 and 72 on diesel and petrol, respectively, in addition to 18% VAT (Value Added Tax).
Ranawaka pointed out that in addition to Ceypetco, IOC and Sinopec had been levying taxes heavily with diesel (Rs 88-94) and petrol (Rs 110-117) imports per litre (SF)
A person who had been apprehended by protesting Development Officers during a noisy demonstration outside the Education Ministry at Isurupaya and handed over to police was subsequently identified as a member of the Military Intelligence.
Police said that those demanding they be made permanent in the teaching service alleged that the apprehended man allegedly caused injuries to policemen deployed at the scene.
A Sub-Inspector of Police (SI) and two constables were injured. (HR)
Muhammathu Saali Naleem was sworn in as a member of the Tenth Parliament yesterday before Speaker Dr. Asoka Ranwala.
Following the oath taking, Naleem signed the Members’ Roll in the presence of Secretary General of Parliament, Kushani Rohanadeera, marking his formal induction into the legislative body. Naleem was appointed as a National List Member of Parliament, representing the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC).
The inaugural session of the Tenth Parliament took place on November 21st, 2024, with members taking their oaths the following day. On November 22nd, the Election Commission issued a gazette notification confirming Naleem’s appointment to the National List of the SLMC, paving the way for his oath-taking ceremony yesterday.
Before entering Parliament, Naleem served as the Chairman of the Eravur Urban Council, bringing valuable local governance experience to his new role as a lawmaker.
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