President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has emphasized that the government’s objective is not limited to carrying out reforms but to transform Sri Lanka’s healthcare system into one that meets international quality standards. He further stated that the government is prepared to allocate the necessary financial resources to achieve this goal. Sri Lanka Latest News
The President made these remarks yesterday (08) afternoon while attending a pre-budget discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat to review the progress of projects implemented under the 2026 budget allocations for the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, as well as proposals for the 2027 budget.
During the discussion, attention was focused on the progress of the programme to establish “Health Care Centers” aimed at strengthening primary healthcare services. The President instructed officials to give greater priority to further developing and strengthening primary healthcare facilities.
The progress of projects implemented by each department under the Ministry of Health and Mass Media through the 2026 budget allocations was reviewed separately, while discussions were also held regarding the financial requirements for the 2027 budget.
The President instructed officials to submit strategic proposals based on scientific evidence without delay to improve the overall quality of healthcare services in the country.
Special attention was also given to the technological transformation planned for the hospital system. The President highlighted that establishing technologically advanced healthcare facilities accessible to people across the island would contribute to significantly improving the quality of healthcare services.
He pointed out that such developments would enable citizens to receive efficient and standardized healthcare services through the government hospital system while reducing the heavy financial burden faced by people seeking treatment from private healthcare institutions.
Discussions were also held on strengthening the Suwaseriya ambulance service and ensuring that only high-tech ambulances meeting international standards are procured for hospitals in the future instead of traditional vans.
It was revealed during the discussion that 26 large-scale construction projects in the health sector, including the five-storey building complex of the Monaragala District Hospital and emergency and treatment units at the Trincomalee, Ampara and Chilaw hospitals, which had been halted due to the suspension of capital expenditure by previous governments, have now been restarted under the current government. It was also revealed that 48 construction projects are currently underway.
The meeting also discussed identifying technical solutions to issues related to medicine procurement to ensure an uninterrupted supply of essential medicines to hospitals. Attention was also paid to expanding the capacity of the Ministry of Health to conduct medicine quality testing and implementing programmes with the support of organizations including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The progress of the “Patient Health App”, telemedicine services, and the establishment of a unified healthcare network through a National Electronic Health Record system, which would allow patient information to be accessed from any hospital under the digital transformation of the health sector, was also reviewed.
A decision was made to conduct a formal staff review within the health service, address issues faced by newly appointed doctors during the review process, and discuss matters related to healthcare staff recruitment with the Ministry of Finance.
The progress of programmes aimed at providing physical resources to the government film sector, journalist training initiatives, and the establishment of school media clubs was also reviewed. Attention was further given to a proposal to establish a special media operations room where journalists and the government can exchange information efficiently.
Furthermore, President Dissanayake stressed the need to move away from outdated practices and modernize the Department of Posts Sri Lanka and the Government Printing Department through the adoption of modern technology.
The discussion was attended by Minister of Health and Mass Media Nalinda Jayatissa, Deputy Minister of Mass Media Kaushalya Ariyaratne, Deputy Minister of Health Hansaka Wijemuni, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Chief of Staff to the President Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the Ministry of Energy and Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russell Aponso, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Kapila Janaka Bandara, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media Specialist Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena, along with officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health and Mass Media.
