Laws soon to minimise AIDS stigma

by Shanika Sriyananda

The Ministry of Health will introduce new laws soon to minimise the social stigma and discrimination against those living with HIV/AIDS.

Addressing a regional media workshop organised by the Commonwealth Foundation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said that the Ministry would study and adopt such legislation adopted by other Asian countries in this regard. "We will soon introduce a new Act to dispel myths and misconceptions related to HIV/AIDS", he said.

The estimated number of HIV/AIDS patients living in Sri Lanka is 5,000 and the HIV prevalence rate among high risk groups is still one percent.

Stressing the need of promoting condom usage, he said that apart from using condoms as family planning methods now in Sri Lanka the Ministry promotes condoms to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.

"Talking about condoms with politicians is still a difficult task in Sri Lanka but I was able to convince them and to educate 90 percent of the politicians", he said.

He said that while the Ministry was trying to promote condom usage, under the prevailing laws carrying a condom is still illegal and those carrying condoms would be subjected to a fine.

"In Sri Lanka, a woman with a condom can be arrested by the police and this is a hindrance in popularising condoms. We are now holding discussions with the police on this matter", he said.

Minister de Silva said that the decision to hold the eighth International Congress on AIDS in the Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP) in Sri Lanka would give the country an opportunity to demonstrate its achievements of remaining a law prevalent country.

The ICAAP congress which is scheduled to be held from August 19-23 this year at the BMICH will bring over 3,500 experts and those who work on prevention of HIV/AIDS on one platform.

" The government has drawn up plans to strengthen security during the Congress with the police and armed forces", the Minister told journalists from Asia and the Pacific.

"In dispelling the stigma and discrimination on HIV/AIDS, we still have a problem due to the country's cultural background and hence a change in social attitudes is essential", he said.

Minister de Silva said that though there was a request from some groups to make HIV /AIDS testing mandatory, the Ministry still did not consider it.

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