Health Services Director General Dr. Palitha Mahipala today said that the government was concerned at the high suicide rates in the country, especially among the males and the young people of working age.

Speaking at a press conference to mark the World Suicide Prevention Day which was marked on September 10, Mahipala said that 3000 Sri Lankans committed suicide in 2015. Most of them were males, he added.

Furthermore, Mahipala said that it was alarming to see a large number of youth of age 15 to 29 committing suicide.

He said family disputes, break up of love affairs, health conditions, physical impairments, mental impairments, economic issues and use of alcohol were among the main reasons for suicides.

Mahipala added that agro chemicals have become an easy method of suicide and insists that the availability of such chemicals had to be regulated.

Meanwhile, he requested the media to be responsible in reporting suicides, and to assist in changing the attitude of the people and improving their mental health.