By Sandun A Jayasekera

The European Union and Germany have given a pledge to further support Sri Lanka’s free healthcare delivery and in particular to prevent the spread of Non-Communicable Diseases (NDC) the Health Ministry said yesterday.   

Discussions in this regard were held between Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne and head of delegation of EU countries Mr. Tung – Lai Margue and German ambassador in Colombo Mr. John Rhodes at the Health Ministry.   

Discussions focused on making sure hospitals had sufficient stocks of oxygen cylinders to hospitals, to introduce a colour code for anti-biotic and energy drinks.   

The ambassadors highlighted the necessity to introduce a colour code for food drinks on par with the standards of EU countries to ensure the quality of beverages.   

The discussion was also attended by Minister Malik Samarawickrema, Director General of Health Services, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Additional Secretary Janaka Sri Chandraguptha and National Medicinal Drugs Regulatory Authority Chairman Prof. Asitha De Silva.