Fear and stigma, not the disease itself, are driving leprosy’s spread, as authorities call for awareness, early detection and compassion to finally eradicate the illness in Sri Lanka.
Leprosy spreads more because of ignorance and social stigma than because of the actual nature of the disease, Minister of Justice and National Integration, Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara, said while addressing the National Leprosy Day celebration held in Moratuwa.
The event, organised under the theme “Let’s join hands and eradicate leprosy,” brought together 350 schoolchildren from 20 schools in the Moratuwa and Egoda Uyana areas. The programme was conducted by the National Leprosy Eradication Campaign of the Ministry of Health and Mass Media in conjunction with World Leprosy Day 2026, which fell on January 25, and was held at Princess of Wales College, Moratuwa.
Addressing the gathering as Chief Guest, the Minister stressed that leprosy has continued to exist largely because of misconceptions within society. He noted that Sri Lanka has officially considered leprosy a non-spreading disease since 1995, but this does not mean it has been completely eradicated.
Health sector data shows that around 1,500 to 2,000 new leprosy patients are reported annually, with approximately 12 percent being children under the age of 15. The Minister highlighted that schoolchildren are the most important group to educate, as awareness at an early age can help eliminate fear and misinformation.
He pointed out that leprosy is not a rapidly spreading disease and does not spread through casual contact such as travelling on a bus or interacting with friends. Patients should not be isolated or excluded from society, he said, adding that such behaviour only worsens the problem.
The Director of the Leprosy Control Campaign has set a target to stop the spread of leprosy among children by 2030, a goal the Minister said must be achieved. He emphasised that leprosy is fully curable in both children and adults, with treatment provided free of charge by the government.
Early identification remains critical, as many patients delay seeking treatment due to shame and fear. Parents were urged to reassure children that leprosy is treatable and not something to be afraid of.
Concluding his remarks, the Minister said Moratuwa and Egoda Uyana are considered high-risk zones, but warned against panic, stressing that awareness and knowledge are the real tools needed to defeat the disease.
