Lanka’s workforce dying before their time!

Absence of health checks, sedentary lifestyles main causes

By Kumudini Hettiarachchi

The war is over but Sri Lanka’s workforce is sitting on a fast-ticking time bomb -- the working population is sick. Not only are workers heading towards major illness and death, this may also be a vital factor obstructing the rapid development of the country. A study of a cross-section of the workforce in the districts of Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara which gives an insight to the bigger picture across the country has thrown up a shocking disclosure, the Sunday Times learns, and if urgent action is not taken, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) lie buried like landmines sending many to an early death. Nearly one-fourth of the working population surveyed is either diabetic or on the brink of becoming so. (see box) It was from November last year, continuing even now, that health teams fanned out across the three districts, firstly visiting the Presidential Secretariat followed by the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, the Auditor General’s Department, Lake House, the Attorney General’s Department and many other workplaces to screen not only government workers but also those in the private and non-governmental sectors. Reaf Full article:  http://www.sundaytimes.lk/110710/News/nws_07.html