Quoting the ministry, local media reports said health authorities had identified some 160 people diagnosed with HIV-AIDS as of October this year alone.

The National STD Eradication Unit Director, Sisira Liyanage asserted that the majority of these victims were between the age group of 25 to 45.

The Health Ministry said that the spread of the disease was due to the tourism industry, use of drugs, homosexual behavior, and immigration.

Over 228 people diagnosed with HIV AIDS were identified in 2014, Liyanage said.

(Xinhua)