A sweeping primary healthcare reform is taking shape as Sri Lanka moves to bring advanced diagnostics, dignity, and community-based care closer to people’s doorsteps through a nationwide network of wellness centers.
The Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, says steps are being taken to introduce a single medical device capable of performing many basic medical tests at health and wellness centers that are being rolled out across the country.
He said that 250 health and wellness centers are planned to be established this year, strengthening the country’s primary healthcare system and ensuring that people receive services with respect, dignity, and accessibility. Under the second phase of the pilot project to establish 1,000 health and wellness centers, 42 new centers were inaugurated today in 21 districts across the island.
The inauguration ceremony of the second phase was held this afternoon in Kananwila and Heenatiyangala in the Kalutara District, under the patronage of the Minister of Health and Mass Media. The program is being implemented under the innovative national initiative titled “Healthy Sri Lanka,” which is being carried out under the advice and guidance of the Minister.
Speaking at the event, the Minister emphasized that these health and wellness centers will play a key role in strengthening disease diagnosis, treatment, and control. With the opening of 42 centers in 21 districts, the total number of inaugurated centers has now reached 47.
He noted that the project has now reached a stable stage and that steps are already being taken to involve 247,251 people from across the country’s population in the services offered through these centers. The objective, he said, is to reduce pressure on hospitals by improving preventive care, early diagnosis, and community-level treatment.
The Minister further explained that Rs. 1,500 million has already been allocated from this year’s national budget for the project. Out of this allocation, Rs. 750 million will be used to launch 25 new health and wellness centers in 19 districts during this year, covering the entire island under a unique implementation plan. The remaining funds will be used to establish 175 additional wellness centers in identified locations, bringing the total number of new centers planned for this year to 250.
Highlighting the growing burden of non-communicable diseases in Sri Lanka, the Minister said that accurate national statistics are still lacking, while the number of patients seeking hospital treatment has exceeded manageable levels. As a result, hospitals are forced to rely on expensive modern equipment and medicines to treat advanced-stage illnesses.
He pointed out that even when such costly equipment is made available, between 80 and 85 percent of lives are still lost due to non-communicable diseases. This, he said, underscores the urgent need for early detection, preventive care, and continuous community-based monitoring.
Against this backdrop, the Minister announced that future plans include introducing a single device capable of conducting multiple basic medical tests at health and wellness centers. This technology-driven approach is expected to significantly improve early diagnosis and reduce the need for unnecessary hospital visits.
Under the first phase of the pilot project, five health and wellness centers were established in 2025 in Mapalagama in the Galle District, Ath Oya in the Ratnapura District, Thalpitiya in the Kalutara District, Polagollawatte in the Kandy District, and Gankanda in the Matale District. Based on the experience gained through this pilot phase, the Ministry of Health and Mass Media has now moved forward with plans to expand the project nationwide.
The 42 centers opened today are distributed across districts including Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kandy, Ratnapura, Galle, Matara, Hambantota, Batticaloa, Kalmunai, Kurunegala, Puttalam, Badulla, Monaragala, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Matale, Ampara, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya, and Trincomalee.
Each health and wellness center will provide a wide range of primary healthcare services, including diagnosis and management of non-communicable diseases, early cancer detection, minor surgical care, elderly and rehabilitation services, palliative care, eye and oral healthcare, mental health counseling, nutritional guidance, alcohol rehabilitation support, youth and adolescent care, selected laboratory tests, and community empowerment programs.
These centers will be staffed by eight healthcare professionals, including a family doctor and a community health nurse, and are designed to function with strong community participation to address both routine and emergency health needs at the local level.
