President Mahinda Rajapaksa was requested by the Minister of Health, Maithreepala Sirisena, the Diabetes Research Unit of the University of Colombo and Diabetologists to make a national appeal and a pledge in the prevention of Diabetes marking the World Diabetes Day on 14th November.

They made this request when they met the President at Temple Trees yesterday (2 Nov).

They requested the President to lead the fight against Diabetes and discussed various activities to be conducted to mark the World Diabetes Day.

Let the fight against Diabetes, which is currently a significant social problem, begin from the school to prevent children from being victims of it, stated President Rajapaksa at the occasion.

Children must be given a healthy diet and trained to exercise in order to prevent future generations from being victims to Diabetes, he stated.

Secretary to the President Mr. Lalith Weerathunga,Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo Mrs. Sanika Hirimurage, Director of World Health Organization, Dr. Lanka Dissanayake, Dr.Prasad Katulanda, Dr.Noel Somasundara and Dr.Uditha Bulugahage were also present at the discussion.