Join us @ the Galle Face Green on the 23rd May, Sunday

the NYC highly condemn the act of Castle Hospital for Women in Colombo

The National Youth Coalition (NYC) of Sri Lanka on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights and all the affiliated organizations of the coalition highly condemn the act of the Castle Hospital for Women in Colombo for the unfair and inhuman treatment meted out to the HIV positive person by hospital staff on 19th April 2010.

Issuing a Media/ Press release the NYC also states that, they are greatly shocked and regret this act of the hospital staff and would like to emphasize the fact that, more than anything this act has highlighted the manner a young person being refused access to health care and treatment reflects the future generation of this country being at risk. “Youth are not only the future of this country, but today’s citizens”.

You can download the original state ment here

“Together we are the solution”

On the 17 May, organizations, individuals, PLHIV, healthcare workers and government representatives working on HIV and AIDS and SRH came together at the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) in Colombo to commemorate the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial day falling on the 17 May (third Sunday of May).

A presentation by Dr. Manoji Gunathilake from the National AIDS Control Programme on side effects of treatment, a presentation about the IDH Hospital and the services offered to the PLHIV and a presentation advocating of requirements of the PLHIV by the Positive Hopes Alliance and Lanka +  were some of the important items in the agenda.

The event was organized by the Positive Hopes Alliance and facilitated by the chain of organizations facilitated by the National Youth Coalition and was held under the patronage of Mr. David Bridger – UNAIDS Country Coordinator; Mr. Noel Lapena from the Salvation Army; Dr. Manoji Gunathilake from the National AIDS Control Programme; Ms. Genita Perera from Plan International.

“Together we are the solution” being the slogan for the International Candlelight Memorial 2009. It is particularly apt for the Candlelight Event-Series where a coalition of agencies working in the fields of SRH, HIV & AIDS, Sexuality and Youth Issues has come together to conduct events across Sri Lanka, leading up to World AIDS Day on December 1, 2009 and beyond.

The declaration for this year (2009) can be downloaded in English and in Sinhala