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National Ceremony
 The National
Commemoration to mark World Health Day was held at the BMICH on 7th
April 2006. the ceremony which was organized by the Health Education Bureau
(HEB, under the guidance of its Director, Dr. Kanthi
Ariyaratne was graced by the Minister of Healthcare
and Nutrition, Hon. Nimal Siripala
De Silva as well as senior officials of the Health Ministry and the World
Health Organization Representative to Sri Lanka, Dr. Agostino
Borra and representatives of the different sectors
of the Health profession in the country. Addressing the gathering the Health
Minister stressed the need for all sections of the health sector to engage in
their duty in keeping with the theme this year of “Working Together for
Health”. He emphasized the need for continuous improvements in the
preservation of the excellent record that Sri Lanka had achieved in the
region. The Inaugural Session was also addressed by the WHO Representative,
Dr. Agostino Borra, Director General of Health Services, Dr. Athula Kahandaliyanage and
Deputy Director General (E. T. & R.), Dr. Stanley de Silva. The Technical
Session that followed was addressed by personalities such as Prof. Carlo Fonseka who spoke on “Communication for Health”, Mr. Mahanama Dodampegama who
highlighted “Social Values and Social Obligations” and Mr. Nalaka Hewamadduma who stressed
the need of “Working Together for Personal Success”. Dr. Stanley de Silva
also spoke on “Some Common Health Workforce Issues”
World Health Day Reception
 The World Health
Organization Representative to Sri Lanka,
Dr. Agostino Borra hosted
a Reception to mark WorldHealth Day at the Ceylon
Continental Hotel in Colombo.
A large and distinguished gathering including the Minister of Healthcare and
Nutrition, Hon. Nimal Siripala
de Silva, former Health Minister Hon. A. H. M. Fowzie,
the Secretary of Health Mr. Ranjith Maligaspe and Additional Secretary Dr. Nihal Jayatilleke. Among the Heads of Foreign Missions were the
US
Ambassador H E Mr. Jeffrey Lunstead, Cuban Ambassador
H E Mrs. Vienna Viant and the Ambassador of Myanmar
H E Mr. Tin Oo Lwin among
several others. From the UN agencies in Sri Lanka were Ms. Lubna Baqi (UNFPA), Ms. Joanne
Van Gerpen (UNICEF), Mr. Peter Harold (World Bank)
and Ms. Janet Leno (UNAIDS) among other representatives. Persons who have
contributed to the health sector over the years, including Emeritus Prof. Priyani Soyza and Dr. P. R. Anthonis along with several senior figures in the sphere
of healthcare were also present. The highlight of the evening was the
performance by the Sunera Foundation, which brought
together differently abled youngsters from around
the country for their presentation of “A Prayer for Peace” which was well
appreciated by all present.
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