He said that the perinatal mortality rate in the country had dropped to 6.8 percent by 2017. These rates were on par with that of many developed countries as well, he added. Dr. Jayaratne said that Sri Lanka was the only country in the region to have a perinatal death surveillance system.
He said the system had evolved over time, with the addition of new mechanisms to help monitor perinatal deaths, as well as prevent them in the future. Copies of the report were also handed over to Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne and Health Ministry Secretary Wasantha Perera.