Politics · Sri Lanka Bureau
Sri Lanka's Nalinda elected to lead inaugural BIMSTEC health ministers forum
Sri Lankan health official Nalinda has been elected Chair of the first-ever meeting of BIMSTEC health ministers, marking a significant step in regional health cooperation among South and Southeast Asian nations.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
Nalinda's election as Chair of the inaugural BIMSTEC Health Ministers' Meeting underscores Sri Lanka's growing role in coordinating multilateral health initiatives across the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation.
The election took place during the historic first gathering of health ministers from BIMSTEC member states, which comprise Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The meeting represents an important institutional development for the regional bloc, which has previously focused on broader economic and technical cooperation.
As Chair of the newly established forum, Nalinda will be responsible for steering discussions on shared health challenges and opportunities for collaboration among the member nations. The position reflects confidence in Sri Lanka's health sector leadership and its capacity to drive regional coordination on critical public health matters.
The establishment of a dedicated health ministers' platform within BIMSTEC is expected to facilitate deeper cooperation on disease prevention, health emergency preparedness, and the sharing of medical expertise across South and Southeast Asia. The inaugural meeting provides a foundation for ongoing dialogue among the region's health authorities on matters of mutual concern.