President advocates tackling alcohol adverts in Sri Lanka

Colombo (News 1st) - President Maithripala Sirisena emphasized the imperative need to tackle the issue of indirect and insidious advertising of alcohol and alcohol products through cross-border social media and entertainment channels in digital marketing. In his speech to the ‘Alcohol, NCDs and Sustainable Development’ at the United Nations, President Sirisena said it was time for Sri Lanka to have an open dialogue to tackle alcohol issues surpassing national borders. While the President was the Chief Guest at the Forum, organized by the World Health Organization on the sidelines of the 73rd Session of the UNGA, his key speech was read by Minister of Western Development and Megapolis Development, Champika Ranawaka. The President stated that Sri Lanka would give unrestrained backing for advocating a legally binding international treaty for alcohol control. The President, in his address, stated that the alcohol control act of Sri Lanka prohibits all direct and indirect advertising and in 2015 had also included a separate section on preventing interference by the alcohol industry.