Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2010-12-08

National Policy on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work

- Of the total population of Sri Lanka, approximately 8.5 million are in the labour force and around 100,000 young men and women work in the Free Trade Zone, Katunayake and about 180,000 persons migrate annually to the Middle East countries for employment. Persons subjected to HIV Infection are in the age group of 14-19 years. Sri Lanka is classified as a low HIV prevalence country in the South Asian Region. Cabinet approval was granted for the national policy on HIV/AIDS prepared to meet the requirements of implementing specially the Prevention and Awareness Programmes by the relevant government agencies and the International Labour Organization.