Rajitha to meet Bill in Abu Dhabi

A special meeting between Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne and the Microsoft Company Technical Advisor Bill Gates will be held on November 15 in Abu Dhabi, Health Ministry sources said.

The main objective of the meeting is to study the steps taken by the Sri Lankan Government to control Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and admire those steps, the sources said.

Bill Gates has informed Minister Senaratne that he wishes to study the steps taken by Sri Lanka to control NCDs and allocated one hour for the task.

The crown prince will take part in the event. Bill Gates, the owner of Microsoft Company, is the world’s richest man. His wealth was estimated as US $ 89.2 billion by October this year. He grabbed the title four times in the past, the sources said.

Sri Lanka has taken many steps to control NCDs. Increasing tax on tobacco up to 90 percent, introducing 80 percent of pictorial warning for cigarette packets, introducing traffic light system for sweetened drinks and setting up 842 Life Style Centres countrywide to offer free screening, treatment for NCDs are among them, the sources said.