The programme organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Health Ministry of Sri Lanka aims to mobilize commitments and actions to address Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

The four diseases are cardio vascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and respiratory diseases. The four risk factors are smoking, unhealthy diet, psychical inactivity and use of alcohol. The four commitments are - addressing risk factors through multi-stakeholder partnerships, strengthening the health system, supplying essential medicines and technologies and monitoring and evaluation leading to accountability.

The WHO said although Sri Lanka has made impressive progress in controlling communicable diseases, in improving maternal and child health, and virtually eliminating vaccine preventable diseases, the chronic non-communicable diseases are currently overtaking communicable diseases as the dominant health problem in the country.

The consumption of alcohol, smoking and lack of physical activity have been identified as major causes for much of the NCDs, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

According to a World Bank report the NCDs have already become the largest contributor to disease burden in Sri Lanka, accounting for 85% of ill health, disability, and early death.