The publication stated that Ukraine comes second with 5.4 deaths per 1,000 live births. Georgia is in the third place with a rate of 7.1. Pakistan recorded the highest infant mortality rate which is 45.6 per 1,000 live births. India has come to the 12th place with a rate of 25.4, the spokesman said.

Another report published by the World Bank recently commended Sri Lanka’s achievements in the health sector and named Sri Lanka as a role model for other countries with regard to upgrading the health sector.

Sri Lanka was named by the WHO as the first country among a very few countries which achieved three goals at once which are high and strong health indicators, good financial security and cost-effectiveness, he said.

Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne thanked health staffers who contributed towards achieving these targets and dedicated their lives to strengthen the Sri Lankan healthcare sector and place it at the top in the region and high among the other countries, he added.