Sri Lanka still ranks high in suicides although the situation is much better from the 1996-97 period, said health minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana.
He said his ministry is taking all action possible in collaboration with other stakeholders to improve on this.
The minister was speaking at a ceremony on 11 July to mark the 50th anniversary or Sumithrayo.
Dr. Pathirana commended the volunteer service institution for its half a century of contributions to prevent suicides.
To mark its anniversary, Sumithrayo is holding a four-day international conference to be attended by more than 150 delegates from 15 countries.
The institution was formed in 1974 by British national Joan de Mel as an affiliate of Befrienders Organization.
Present on the occasion were Befrienders chairman Neil Hawkins and chairperson of Sumithrayo Suranjani Wickramaratne.
