Sri Lanka’s Health Ministry plans to establish a gene technology unit to enhance treatment for communicable and non-communicable diseases, a Ministry spokesman had told reporters adding that Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne will include the project it in the next budget.

Accordingly reports note that a Cabinet proposal will be submitted for the construction of a modern laboratory with high-tech medical equipment, at a cost of Rs. 482 million. Currently there are five gene technology laboratories in Sri Lanka and at present, there are seven doctors employed by the Health Ministry who work in the field of gene technology and they will be given a special training in USA under the new project.

- Reporting by Devendra Francis