Sri Lanka receives World No Tobacco Day Award for third time

Friday, 24 November 2017 00:00 -     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka for the third time has won the World No Tobacco Day Award, bestowed by the World Health Organization (WHO) upon WHO regions for their accomplishments in the area of tobacco control. 

The award was officially presented to President Maithripala Sirisena by the Regional Director of WHO Southeast Asia Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh yesterday at Waters Edge Hotel in Battaramulla.

The President then handed over the award to the Chairman of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) Dr. Palitha Abeykoon.

President Sirisena received the same award in 2014 as the then Health Minister for his work to minimise the consumption of tobacco. In 2014 Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne received this award.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Singh said Sri Lanka had become an exemplary country in its commitment to control alcohol and tobacco. 

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