A gradual increase in suicide cases in Sri Lanka

In comparison to the previous years, this year The number of suicides in the country might be considerably higher, warned the Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry and Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr. Chathuri Suraweera. According to her, 17 cases of suicide per 100,000 individuals were reported (100,000:17).

"Unfortunately, no data was received for the years 2022 and 2023. So far we have spent only four months this year, but we are receiving information that the number has increased much higher within the last four months.

"Still, 3,000 cases of suicide are reported annually, and nearly eight or nine incidents reported daily. There was a gradual decrease in the cases of suicide, but there is a slight increase now with the current economic crisis."

Thereby, the media should be very responsible when reporting on suicides, as pointed out by the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA).