The Legal Draftsman's Department has reportedly finalized the new bills and amendments along with the National Drugs Policy. The Health Ministry is to implement the National Drugs Policy on October 17th.

According to Ministry officials, the new bills and amendments are to be introduced within the next three months.

The Ministry has also launched a National Health Week from yesterday (03) till the 9th of this month, aiming at inculcating healthy habits among the general public.

The Minister of Health Maithreepala Sirisena has requested all parliamentarians and ministers to visit the hospitals in their electorates today and report any shortages prevailing in the facilities.

Programs to clean all the hospitals in the island, awareness programmes in schools and investigations with the help of Public Administration Ministry are also planned for the Week.

During the National Health Week, programs to educate public on non-infectious diseases and assessment on researches related to health sector will also be conducted, the Ministry said.

The Ministry will also take concerted efforts to eradicate dengue fever during the National Health Week. Health officials along with special police teams will conduct house to house inspections to identify and destroy mosquito breeding sites.