Imagine Sri Lanka free of poverty. A country, where quality of life guarantees human dignity. A country where everyone exercises basic human rights. A country where all children will live to their fullest potential. That is the dream the World Bank shares with all member nations. That is why we remain impressed by Sri Lanka's achievements in social, economic and human development. But, that is also why we need to talk about AIDS.
AIDS threatens Asia. AIDS threatens to reduce, halt and even reverse the economic growth of Asia. It threatens to kill the people of Asia at the prime of their productive years. It threatens to tear apart its very social fabric. Ultimately, but without exaggeration, AIDS threatens the security and stability of nation states. It is unlike any other disease. It is decidedly not just a public health matter. It is a singularly most critical socio-economic development issue and Sri Lanka is no exception.
In Sri Lanka there are over 8,500 adults and children living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Although the number of cases is still low compared to the total population, it is growing. International evidence indicates that there is only one thing that stands in the way of Sri Lanka as it is, and Sri Lanka with an AIDS epidemic: full understanding of the risks the country faces, and concerted, preventative action.
Denial is pointless. In every country with a serious AIDS epidemic today, people once said: "It can't happen here. We don't have the behaviours that spread AIDS." They were wrong. It is too easy to be complacent, when no one appears visibly sick with AIDS. It is too easy to look the other way, when thousands are dying of other afflictions.
But, HIV/AIDS respects no international borders. It does not discriminate by nationality, race, gender, or religion. And, I repeat, human behaviours and social conditions that spread the virus are present in all countries including right here, in Sri Lanka.
At this time, Sri Lankans and their friends around the world have in their sights a hopeful vision-of a Sri Lanka that is peaceful and prosperous. Let us add to that vision a country where the people live in good health, having escaped the devastating effects of an AIDS epidemic-a tragedy which has had such devastating effects on so many countries. Sri Lanka has a narrow window of opportunity to act now. The alternative is simply not a choice Sri Lanka can afford to make. An AIDS epidemic will overwhelm health finances. But, it will not stop there - the entire public finances will come under an enormous pressure. To project this is not rocket science. AIDS patients require a variety of medical care, as they cope with repeated bouts of infection and tuberculosis. This raises health-care costs, even in places that cannot afford expensive drug therapy.
Confronting AIDS is not easy. Acting to fight it is even tougher. But, engagements to jump-start sustained social transformation such as grass-roots social mobilization with empowerment, human dignity, and visible shifts in the quality of life can help.
The World Bank is prepared to be part of the solution. Today we are working with the government to prepare a National AIDS Prevention Project. But, in the bigger picture, the solution must be Sri Lanka's own, to protect your society, economy, proud nationhood - all that you have, all that you want, all that you dream of. It has to be Sri Lanka's own commitment.
-- The writer is VP, South Asia, World Bank