Suicide in Sri Lanka (IN: Suicide Prevention: The Global Context. Proceedings of the 19th Congress of the IASP, March 1997, ed. by R J Kosky et al)

In this presentation, the author first described the epidemiology of suicide in Sri Lanka. The suicide rate is 47.0 per 100,000 population, a figure some believe may be an underrepresentation. 75% of suicides occur in rural areas. The most common method is self-poisoning & the most common motive is disappointment in love. The latter part of the presentation discussed the work of the Sumithrayo Befrienders including their research into outreach & prevention programs in rural areas.