Sri Lanka has a low rate of HIV infections but the government is taking the disease seriously and a national HIV/ AIDS policy for the work place is being finalized, so that victims of the terrible disease could be treated fairly, with respect and dignity and have recourse to all their rights under the country’s labour laws, which together with building awareness in the workplace, is the best form of prevention.

Sri Lanka has the lowest number of HIV infections in the Asian region with 3,000 infected individuals living with the HIV/AIDS virus. HIV prevalence among adults is less than 0.1 percent and 82.5 percent of transmissions are through unprotected sex among women and men.

"While Sri Lanka has the good fortune to be a country with a low rate of HIV infections, this is no cause for complacency regarding the disease. The country remains venerable for the rate of HIV/ AIDS to grow at a much faster rate," Director International Labour Organization Sri Lanka Ms. Tine Staermose said.

A national HIV/ AIDS policy is essential for an overall prevention and education strategy in the country. Information could be provided in a much more proportional method in ways which could over come workers’ inhibitions about the issue viewed as sensitive and embarrassing.

It has also been observed that a work place programme would be more effective as the information learned also pass down to others related to the individuals in a company.

Ms. Staermose said "by educating the people of Sri Lanka, hopefully we can archive the following results,

* Less work place discrimination against persons living with HIV/ AIDS

* Decrease high risk behavior

* Fewer adverse consequences of HIV/ AIDS on social, labour and economic development

* Overall prevention of HIV/ AIDS in the work place."

"The government of Sri Lanka takes the issue of HIV/ AIDS seriously, and gives a high priority, while acknowledging there is insufficient resources and capacity to provide all the necessary testing facilities, services delivery and public education required to ensure that the disease never catches on here as it has else where around the world," she said, addressing a consultative meeting last morning when the draft national policy was presented among various stakeholders.

The ILO code of practice was adopted by the government in 2004 and from 2005 the organization has been assisting the government, employers’ organization, trade unions, and organizations of people living with HIV.

A national HIV/ AIDS policy for the work place would assist the acceleration of controlling and preventing further spread of the disease, it would create a an enabling environment to reduce stigma and discrimination and also change the pattern of behaviour which could lead to further spread.

Ms. Staermose said: "This consultation is very timely since after the adoption of the ILO code of practice on HIV/ AIDS in 2001, taking in to consideration the needs to strengthen its impact it has been decided to adopt a recommendation on HIV/ AIDS at the international Labour conference in June 2010."

It is expected to develop an international standard which could guide governments and other stake holders defining their role and responsibilities.

Unlike many other dreaded diseases, AIDS is preventable with the proper treatment provided, due to the fear of embarassment many do not take the necessary steps to cure.

In conclusion, Ms. Staermose said: "Sri Lanka is fortunate that the spread of the disease remains low. Nevertheless, we must act fast and mobilize all available recourses to ensure that the rate of infection remains low or declines."