By Chaturanga Samarawickrama 

The public is urged to be cautious not to be infected by sexually transmitted diseases since there is a shortage of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) test kits, National STD/AIDS Control Programme Director Dr. Rasanjali Hettiarachchi said. 

She said due to the financial crisis and the rapid depreciation of the rupee (LKR) against the US dollar (USD), most of the medicines and medical equipment were not imported.