India, May 23 -- The gradual banning of highly toxic pesticides since 1990 had helped reduce suicides in the country by nearly 70%, and urged countries worldwide to include pesticide restrictions in their suicide prevention strategies, Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said.

The Minister made these remarks while participating in a special session on "Preventing Suicides from Pesticides" held on the sidelines of the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva.

The assembly, which began on May 16 and concludes tomorrow (May 23), has brought together representatives from 194 countries, including health ministers, diplomats, institutional representatives and observers.

The session was jointly organised by Sri Lanka, Guyana, Ke...