The Government is launching a major project to improve Healthcare across the country by opening 1,000 new Primary Health Centers (PHCs), with the first 100 set to be completed this year.

The goal is to make quality Healthcare more accessible to everyone, especially people in rural areas.

Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced the plan at a consultation meeting and one-day Workshop held at the “Sankathani” Hall of the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration. He said the Government wants to build all 1,000 Centers within the next two and a half years.

“This will be the main project of the Health service going forward,” said Dr. Jayatissa. “We want to provide a better, more efficient primary Healthcare system for the people of this country.”

Each Center will serve around 5,000 to 7,000 people and will be located within easy reach, ideally within 3 kms, or a 20-minute walk, from people’s homes. The plan is to set up one Health center for every 5 Grama Niladhari Divisions, ensuring that no one is left out.

These Centers will be staffed with a family Doctor, a community health Nurse, a small medical team, and a coordinator. They’ll offer essential services like First Aid, Emergency Care, Health Education, Nutrition Advice, and Disease Prevention. The idea is not just to treat illness but to help people stay healthy.

Dr. Jayatissa also explained that these Centers will be designed to work closely with local communities. By involving community organisations, the Government hopes the Centers will be better equipped to deal with Health issues specific to each area, as well as emergencies. Looking ahead, the Government also plans to create other essential services alongside Healthcare in each local area, including Education, Police, and Agricultural support units starting with Health as the foundation.

Dr. Jayatissa expressed confidence that with everyone in the Health sector working together, the existing annual Health budget of under Rs. 200 billion will be enough to support this plan and solve long-standing issues in areas like Pharmaceuticals and Surgical supplies.

He also reassured the public that the necessary staff and facilities will be provided. New Health workers will be recruited, and those currently in training will be deployed to help run the new Centers.

Health Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Deputy Director General of Health Dr. Arjuna Thilakaratne, Director of Primary Health. Provincial Dr. Sarathchandra Kumarawansa, District Health Directors, Specialist Doctors, and officials from Planning and community Health divisions also participated at this meeting.

Health, Mass Media Minister and Chief Government Whip, (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa has been elected as the President of the Sri Lanka–Nepal Parliamentary Friendship Association of the Tenth Parliament.

The revival meeting of the Association was held on Tuesday (17) at the Parliament premises under the patronage of Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.

Nepalese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Dr. Purna Bahadur Nepali graced the event as the guest of honour. The Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General of Parliament, Chaminda Kularatne and the visiting Nepalese delegation led by Padma Prasad Pandey, Secretary General of the Federal Parliament of Nepal, were also present.

At the meeting, MP Anushka Thilakarathne was elected as the Secretary of the Association.

Speaking at the meeting, the Speaker highlighted the longstanding friendship of 68 years between Sri Lanka and Nepal, underscoring the economic, cultural, and strategic cooperation shared by the two nations. He further expressed confidence that the revived Friendship Association would contribute significantly to strengthening collaboration in the fields of education, religion, culture, and people-to-people ties.

Ambassador Nepali congratulated the newly elected office-bearers on behalf of the Government and the people of Nepal. He emphasised that the Friendship Association would pave the way to enhance bilateral relations, particularly in policy dialogue, knowledge exchange, and interpersonal connections. He also expressed his appreciation to the Government of Sri Lanka for providing opportunities to Nepalese Buddhist monk students to pursue higher education in Sri Lanka.

In his remarks, the newly elected President, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa expressed his gratitude for the confidence placed in him and for electing him as President of the Association. He further stated his commitment to working through the Association to strengthen the friendly relations between the two countries.

Delivering the vote of thanks, the newly elected Secretary, MP Anushka Thilakarathne extended her appreciation to the Ambassador of Nepal for his continued and invaluable support towards the activities of the Association.

A range of new projects for the 2025 financial year have been launched under the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, a flagship government initiative aimed at fostering “A Thriving Nation , A Beautiful Life”

A progress review meeting for these projects, which are being implemented by various ministries and their respective departments, corporations, boards and institutions, was held the day before yesterday (17) at the Presidential Secretariat, chaired by Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President.

One notable project discussed is a plan to operate 10 purpose-built buses for people with special needs from Panadura, Kadawatha and Avissawella to the National Hospital in Colombo. This initiative, a collaboration with the Sri Lanka Transport Board, marks the first time such a service will be implemented in the country.

Additionally, there are plans to create a virtual city centred around Kandy, expected to be completed within a year. This pilot project will also encompass the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic premises and is estimated to cost Rs. 50 million.

To attract both local and international tourists, a three-day cultural festival showcasing the cultural values of all ethnic groups in Sri Lanka is being planned for Colombo. This event is scheduled to take place at 16 locations, including Galle Face Green.

Furthermore, there are plans to construct 500 standardised and modern public toilets in tourist areas, with an allocated budget of Rs. 525 million.

A sustainable programme is also underway to secure international Blue Flag certification for two of the country’s main coastal zones within two years. Unawatuna and Hirikatuwa beaches have been proposed for this and over 450 beach custodians are to be appointed under this project, with 250 already receiving their letters of appointment.

A nationwide wastewater disposal project is being implemented at a cost of Rs. 300 million, aiming to maintain the cleanliness and upkeep of urban canals and waterways. Separately, a Rs. 100 million programme has commenced for the sustainable maintenance of the general canal system in Colombo.

A pilot project to minimise water pollution in the Mahaweli River is also being conducted in its upper reaches.

Moreover, a project to provide compost dump bins to local government authorities, costing Rs. 500 million, is also underway. In the first phase, Rs. 150 million worth of bins will be distributed, also within this year.

A road safety programme, costing Rs. 120 million, is already in motion, with the objective of reducing the daily number of road accidents. Attention is also being given to establishing several model villages across the island to prevent anti-social behaviour, including drug abuse.

The meeting also included extensive discussions on the successful completion of these projects to ensure the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme’s objectives are achieved at both ministerial and institutional levels.

Mr. G.M.R.D. Aponsu, Senior Additional Secretary to the President at the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat and Mr. S.P.C. Sugeeshwara, Senior Additional Secretary to the President, along with secretaries and other senior officials representing various ministries, were present at the event.

The Government is currently prioritising the development of a country-specific Food Security Index, with the goal of completing the initiative within the next three months.

This tailored index is expected to better reflect Sri Lanka’s unique food security landscape, addressing the limitations of global indices such as the Global Food Security Index (GFSI), which have been criticized for failing to capture the nuances of the local context. Policymakers have also noted that existing data is often insufficient or imprecise, making it challenging to develop effective strategies.

The proposed index aims to identify key national priorities and guide food security policy over the next five years.

As a first step in this effort, a workshop titled “Identifying a Suitable Food Security Index for Sri Lanka and Formulating a Strategic Plan” was held in Colombo yesterday. Organised by the Food Security Expert Committee in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP), the event brought together experts and stakeholders from across the sector.

Delivering the opening remarks, President’s Senior Additional Secretary Kapila Gunaratne emphasised the importance of the initiative, stating that the development of a precise, country-specific index is a vital step toward ensuring both economic stability and national food security. The workshop focused on the four key dimensions of food security; availability, accessibility, utilisation and stability and explored how these can be incorporated into a comprehensive and practical national index.

Participants included members of the Food Security Expert Committee, such as Senior Professors Buddhi Marambe and Jeevika Weerahewa, along with representatives from various Government agencies, academic institutions, the FAO, the WFP and the private sector.

The national commemorative ceremony marking World Blood Donor Day, observed at Temple Trees with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Saturday (14).

Coinciding with the event, a felicitation was also held to honour blood donors.

Addressing the event, the Prime Minister stated: “The theme declared by the World Health Organisation for this year is “Give Blood, Give Hope – Together we save lives.” In Sri Lanka, nearly 85 percent of the annual blood requirement is fulfilled through the invaluable contribution of organisers of mobile blood donation campaigns. I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to them.

Out of the 450,000 blood units received annually by the National Blood Transfusion Service, more than 380,000, around 85 percent are collected through these mobile donation campaigns. Nearly 5,000 mobile blood donation drives are organised annually to support this cause.

Around 1,500 blood donors and nearly 1,000 mobile blood donation campaign organisers participated in this commemorative event. Individuals representing all ethnicities, religions, provinces, and regions of the country ranging from corporate entities, Government institutions, volunteer organisations, schools, defense services, and individual contributors were awarded at this ceremony.

These organisers dedicate their personal resources, time, and labour voluntarily without expecting any personal gain.

The uniquely effective blood donation system that exists in Sri Lanka is not seen in many parts of the world.

The Government intends to systematically reinstate a previously proposed initiative to allocate one day annually for State institutions to participate in blood donation.

Additionally, more opportunities should be provided within the school system to raise awareness about blood donation, as future blood donors are nurtured through education.

Even amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, these individuals fulfilled their national responsibility without hesitation.

Today, Sri Lanka has become a country that meets 100 percent of its blood demand through voluntary donations, thanks to the tremendous service rendered by these individuals.

Health and Mass Media Minister, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated: “Two key sectors of Sri Lanka’s health system, the primary healthcare and the National Blood Transfusion Service have received international recognition. In 2010, the World Health Assembly declared that by 2020, all countries should fulfill their blood requirements entirely through voluntary donations. Sri Lanka achieved this goal by 2014. As of today, only about 70 countries worldwide have reached this standard.

The true heroes behind this significant achievement are Sri Lanka’s blood donors and mobile campaign organisers, a uniquely committed group of individuals with pure hearts.

The Government is also focusing on modernising the Blood Transfusion Service further.

The Health Ministry is working to introduce opportunities for stem cell and plasma donations, implement NAT (Nucleic Acid Amplification Test) testing, enhance quality control mechanisms at all blood banks, and establish internationally recognised standards such as AABB and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) to uplift the service to even greater heights.

Health and Mass Media Deputy Minister Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Health Services Director General Dr. Asela Gunawardena, National Blood Transfusion Service Director Dr. Lakshman Edirisingh and several Government officials and a large number of blood donors attended the event.

President Anura Kumara Disanayake, delivering the keynote address at the international conference “Sri Lanka’s Road to Recovery: Debt and Governance” in Colombo today (16), declared that by 2028 Sri Lanka will have laid the foundation for a stable and self-reliant economy, one capable of independently meeting its external debt obligations. Emphasizing that true sovereignty cannot exist amidst economic collapse, he asserted, “Our ultimate goal is to restore national sovereignty through economic stability and self-reliance.” He urged public officials and citizens alike to contribute to this national endeavour, stressing that the ongoing reform process demands a collective and sustained effort.

The conference, a landmark event jointly hosted by the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), drew global attention as it examined the country’s recovery from economic crisis, the progress of debt restructuring and future challenges under the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme.

The President acknowledged that while a degree of macroeconomic stability has been restored, Sri Lanka must not be lulled into complacency. “Surface-level stability is not enough,” he stated. “We must deepen this stability through structural reforms that reshape the foundations of our economy.” He also noted several achievements of the current administration within a relatively short timeframe, expressing confidence in continuing this trajectory towards lasting political, economic and social stability.

This conference was held to reflect on Sri Lanka’s experiences, lessons learned and progress made during the debt restructuring process, as well as to discuss the progress and upcoming challenges related to the Extended Fund Facility programme with the International Monetary Fund.

Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe echoed these sentiments, crediting the IMF and international partners for their support in Sri Lanka’s turnaround from a historic crisis that culminated in a sovereign default in 2022. Recalling the severity of the crisis, marked by hyperinflation, shortages and institutional erosion, Dr. Weerasinghe attributed the collapse to years of fiscal mismanagement and unchecked vulnerabilities.

“Stabilization was just the first step,” he noted. “The real test lies in sustaining growth through structural change.”

He highlighted the progress made under the EFF programme, including: Taming inflation – now back to single digits; Rebuilding external balances – including rare current account surpluses and reserve growth; Improving fiscal discipline – with narrowing deficits and emerging primary surpluses.

Dr. Weerasinghe further underlined the importance of governance reforms, pointing to new legislation such as the Central Bank Act, the Public Financial Management Act and the Anti-Corruption Act as pillars of long-term institutional credibility.

Urging stakeholders to maintain policy consistency, empower the private sector and protect the vulnerable, he emphasized: “Sri Lanka’s transformation must be domestically driven, with strong institutions and united public commitment.”

Delivering a pivotal message, IMF First Deputy Managing Director Dr. Gita Gopinath commended Sri Lanka’s hard-won gains but reminded attendees of the cost borne by the people, particularly the most vulnerable.

“The key lesson from this crisis is that it must never happen again,” she said, stressing the need for continued reforms targeting structural weaknesses such as unsustainable subsidies and inefficient pricing mechanisms. Though socially painful, she insisted such changes are essential for resilience.

She also cautioned against “reform fatigue,” highlighting that half of Sri Lanka’s 16 past IMF programmes faltered due to reversals. “This time must be different,” Dr. Gopinath urged. “Success should be measured not just by numbers but by whether this becomes Sri Lanka’s last IMF programme.” She called for inclusive governance, civil society engagement and equitable policymaking that reaches beyond Colombo, reaffirming the IMF’s commitment while urging national ownership of the recovery path.

Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, announced plans to enhance Sri Lanka’s rural healthcare system through the introduction of telemedicine technology and the phased increase of specialist doctors to deliver optimal health services nationwide.

He made these remarks during a recent inspection tour of several primary health care units and health centers in the Southern Province, including the Tissamaharama Beralihela Primary Health Care Unit, Mattala Central Dispensary, and the Kataragama Medical Officer of Health Office. The visit was aimed at identifying critical shortcomings and evaluating the current state of primary healthcare delivery.

Under the government’s new initiative to strengthen primary healthcare, rural, regional, and district hospitals will undergo renovations to improve diagnostic, laboratory, and patient care services. Information and communication technology (ICT) will also be integrated to manage patient data, facilitate access to specialist consultations, and promote public health education.

One of the key challenges highlighted during the visits was the lack of internet connectivity, which hinders daily operations and telemedicine integration. Additionally, staff at several centers raised concerns about inadequate space, transport issues, drug shortages, limited human resources, and aging infrastructure.

The Minister commended the Tissamaharama Beralihela Primary Health Care Unit for its commendable performance in the Dakshina Suwaviru competition and underscored the importance of establishing community-based primary health centers within a 3-kilometer radius, ideally serving approximately 7,000 residents across five Grama Niladhari divisions.

Dr. Jayatissa also emphasized a shift in approach — bringing health services closer to the community rather than waiting for patients to come to hospitals. He further stated that maternity and child health clinics operated by Family Health Service Officers will be modernized, fostering a more people-centered, proactive healthcare system.

Recognizing the limited number of around 2,000 specialist doctors currently in the system, the Minister noted that it’s not feasible to station a specialist in every regional hospital. As a solution, telemedicine will be deployed to connect patients at primary centers with specialists at main hospitals. Over time, the number of specialists will be increased to support this model.

Medical officers and staff from the Kataragama, Tissamaharama, and Mattala health institutions participated in this inspection tour and provided updates on their facilities and services.

• President Reiterates Commitment to Attracting Investment and Advancing a People-Oriented Economic Agenda
• IMF Reaffirms Strong Support for Sri Lanka’s Economic Recovery and Reform Agenda

President Anura Kumara Disanayake met with the Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ms. Gita Gopinath, and the delegation this morning (16) at the Presidential Secretariat.

During the meeting, President Disanayake expressed his sincere appreciation to the IMF for its continued support in guiding Sri Lanka through its recent financial crisis. He also raised concerns regarding the recently imposed U.S. tariffs, noting their potential impact, as approximately 25% of Sri Lanka’s total exports are directed to the United States. The President further highlighted the challenges posed by on-going global conflicts and their potential implications for Sri Lanka. However, he mentioned to the delegation that appropriate measures are being taken to manage and mitigate these risks effectively.

The discussion also focused on Sri Lanka’s trade relationship with the European Union, particularly the GSP+ trade concession, which accounts for 23% of the country’s exports and provides preferential access to the EU market. The President emphasized the current government’s interest in expanding investment opportunities, stating that economic recovery would be driven through increased investor confidence. He reiterated that the current administration is people-oriented and committed to advancing in close alignment with public aspirations.

Ms. Gopinath thanked the President for the warm welcome and acknowledged the strong mandate he received in both the general and local elections, which she noted enhances the government’s ability to implement much-needed reforms. Reflecting on the country’s economic journey, she commended the remarkable progress achieved over the past two years from a state of severe crisis to renewed growth and falling inflation.

She also praised the strides made in governance reforms and emphasized the importance of sustaining and deepening these efforts. The IMF delegation reaffirmed its recognition of Sri Lanka’s substantial progress and pledged to remain a steadfast partner in the country’s reform and recovery process.

Also present at the meeting were Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mr. Mahinda Siriwardana, Senior Economic Advisor to the President Duminda Hulangamuwa and Senior Additional Secretaries to the President Russell Aponsu.

A special workshop on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to transform the public service into a more productive and efficient entity was held yesterday (15) at Temple Trees.

Titled ‘AI for Transforming Public Service’, the workshop was attended by officials of the Presidential Secretariat. It aimed to serve as an initial orientation for a major government initiative, the digitalisation of the public service, by raising awareness and preparing officials, while also fostering a positive perception of artificial intelligence within the public sector.

Senior Advisor to the President on the Digital Economy Dr. Hans Wijesuriya delivered the keynote address. Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) Executive Director Sanjaya Karunasena also presented a brief address.

Subsequently, ICTA board members Harsha Purasinghe and Samisa Abeysinghe conducted awareness sessions incorporating practical demonstrations.

The event was also attended by President’s Secretary Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Roshan Gamage and several other senior officials from the Presidential Secretariat.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasised that preventing road accidents should be approached not merely as a legal obligation but as a personal responsibility to save lives while efforts must be undertaken with awareness and dedication, not just adherence to rules and regulations.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the inauguration ceremony of the awareness programme held at Royal College, Colombo on road safety titled ‘Take Care – Let’s Be Safe on the Road,’ organised jointly by the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ Programme, the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, and Sri Lanka Police.

Police officers should conduct awareness sessions on road accident prevention for schoolchildren and distribution of equipment necessary for school transport safety to 25 selected schools across 25 districts was taken place under the patronage of the Prime Minister. Addressing the event, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:This is another significant initiative under the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ Project. Road accidents have become a major national crisis. The tragic reality is that most of these incidents are preventable if we have the will and dedication.

“About seven people die every day due to road accidents. We must stop this tragedy. Every deceased, disabled, or injured victim of road accidents is a citizen of this country. They are someone’s mother, father, brother, sister, or child. When someone becomes a victim, the whole society is affected. The statistics on accidents are not just numbers they carry deep stories and pain.

“Preventing road accidents is not only about obeying laws. It’s about thinking of others, acting with empathy, and treating the preservation of life as our own duty. We need to build a society that functions with compassion and responsibility. That is the kind of beautiful country the Government is striving to create.

“It is important that education must come before punishment, setting an example must precede enforcement of the law, cautious before precede accusations. Parents must set a good example, drivers must be committed to saving lives, children must be given a clear understanding of traffic rules while the police must prioritise public education before enforcing laws.

The event was attended by President’s Additional Secretary Russel Aponsu, representing the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ Programme, Chairman of Independent Television Network Priyantha Wedamulla, Royal College Principal Athula Wijewardhana, officials from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Defence, Sri Lanka Police, Department of Motor Traffic, as well as teachers and students representing schools from across the country.

National Nutrition Month 2025, themed “Vegetables and Fruits: Always Keep You Healthy,” was officially launched yesterday (June 11) at the Waters Edge Hotel, Battaramulla, under the patronage of the Ministry of Health.

Celebrated annually in June, this year’s campaign emphasizes four key messages:

Eat at least two types of vegetables, one leafy green, and two types of fruits daily.

Prepare fruits and vegetables in ways that preserve their nutritional value.

Choose fruits and vegetables as healthy snacks whenever possible.

Buy local and affordable produce to support healthy eating.

Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, speaking at the event, highlighted a growing concern: children are increasingly turning away from fruits and vegetables, despite widespread awareness efforts in schools and preschools.

He stressed the need for a collective shift in attitudes—calling on parents, schools, and the wider community to actively promote healthier dietary habits.

Dr. Jayatissa also emphasized the role of media in transforming public awareness, urging both state and private media to consistently integrate accurate nutritional information across all types of programming—not just in news or educational segments.

He concluded by underscoring that nutrition is not solely a health sector issue, but one that requires cross-ministerial collaboration to achieve long-term impact.

Also in attendance were Health Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe, UNICEF Country Representative Christian Skoog, senior health officials, nutritionists, and representatives from various government and non-governmental organizations.