Sri Lanka’s healthcare system faces a dual burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases, placing significant strain on resources. Acknowledging this challenge, Health and Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa emphasised that while treating diseases is crucial, equal priority must be given to disease prevention and control.
The minister stated this at the Annual Scientific Sessions 2025 of the Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka (NSSL), held at the BMICH recently. The event, themed ‘Empowering communities through better nutrition and health literacy’, highlighted the role of nutrition in disease prevention and overall public health.
The minister stressed the importance of improving nutrition and increasing physical activity to combat rising health concerns. He emphasised that providing the public with essential knowledge about healthy eating habits and disease prevention is key to reducing the prevalence of illnesses.
By promoting better nutrition and healthier lifestyles, Sri Lanka can improve overall public health, reduce the strain on the healthcare system and minimise unnecessary medical expenses.
The minister also highlighted that disease prevention requires collaboration across multiple sectors, including medical professionals, nutritionists and dietitians, media professionals, Community organizations.
The Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka (NSSL) plays a pivotal role in this effort by advocating for better nutritional practices and conducting awareness programmes countrywide.
The NSSL is a professional body comprising nutritionists, medical doctors, dietitians, researchers and other experts working towards improving national nutrition standards. Their primary mission is to advance nutrition science and its application in public health, promote knowledge-sharing among professionals in the field, organise educational programmes for schools, plantations and vulnerable communities and intervene in national nutrition crises when necessary.
The Annual Scientific Sessions serve as a platform to exchange ideas, present research findings and formulate strategies for improving Sri Lanka’s nutritional landscape.
This year’s event brought together local and international experts from the fields of nutrition and health. The sessions featured academic discussions, research presentations and policy recommendations aimed at enhancing the country’s approach to nutrition and disease prevention.
The keynote address was delivered by Health and Nutrition Manager at UNICEF Sri Lanka, Dr. Abner Elkan Daniel who provided valuable insights into global nutrition trends and strategies.
Nutrition Society of Sri Lanka President Prof. Ananda Chandrasekara, NSSL Vice President Dr. Kumari Ratnayake, Peradeniya University’s Vice Chancellor Prof. Terrence Madujith, Wayamba University’s Senior Prof. Renuka Silva, Peradeniya University’s Prof. Damayanthi Dissanayake, Colombo University’s Prof. Kanchana Abeysekera, diverse group of nutrition experts, healthcare professionals and academics participated.
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