Suicide in Southern Sri Lanka

Abstract

The pattern of suicide in a southern district of Sri Lanka was studied retrospectively over a period of one year. The mortality by suicide of 25/100,000 population is higher than that in the UK and other Western European countries. The largest number of suicides occurred in the age group 15–24 years. Poisoning was the preferred method of suicide in over 80% of subjects. The commonest agent used was a weedkiller, paraquat. Free availability of such potent toxic substances can culminate in a suicidal act when in fact a large number of the victims had no intention of committing suicide. There is a place for restriction of the sale of agrochemicals without jeopardizing their availability to farmers.