Health authorities have raised concerns over a rising trend of HIV infections among Sri Lankans aged 15 to 29.
According to officials, the highest number of HIV cases have been reported from the Colombo and Gampaha districts.
HIV, one of the world’s most serious sexually transmitted viruses, directly attacks and weakens the body’s immune system. This makes individuals vulnerable to life-threatening complications — even from minor illnesses such as the common cold or a cough.
Health experts have identified three primary ways in which HIV transmission occurs:
Unprotected sexual contact with an HIV-positive person
HIV is transmitted through sexual fluids, not through kissing. Anal intercourse is identified as a major cause of HIV transmission. The virus can spread throughout the body within approximately 72 hours after unprotected sexual contact.
Sharing injection needles
The use of the same needle to inject different drugs is another major cause of HIV transmission.
Mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy or breastfeeding
HIV can be passed from an infected mother to her baby through breast milk if the mother is not undergoing treatment. However, in a positive development, Sri Lanka received World Health Organization (WHO) certification in 2019 for successfully reducing mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
Health authorities emphasize that HIV is transmitted through blood and sexual fluids, underscoring the importance of safe practices and awareness.
Steady Rise in Reported Cases
The number of reported HIV infections in Sri Lanka has increased steadily in recent years:
2021 – 411 cases
2022 – 607 cases
2023 – 697 cases
2024 – 824 cases
Of these, the majority of infections have been found among men, with a male-to-female ratio of approximately 7:1.
According to the Ministry of Health, 6,740 HIV-infected individuals have been reported in the country so far, including new cases detected between January and March this year.
In 2024 alone, 824 new infections were recorded — most of them from Colombo and Gampaha. Among these, 47 individuals have died after developing AIDS.
Although Sri Lanka remains classified as a low HIV-prevalence country, the significant increase in new infections over the past year has alarmed health officials. Of particular concern is the growing number of young people aged 15 to 29 contracting the virus.
Testing and Treatment: Free and Confidential
To encourage early detection, the National STD and AIDS Control Program (NSACP) under the Ministry of Health offers free, confidential testing and treatment services at 41 STD clinics across the country. HIV-positive individuals also receive free antiretroviral therapy (ART).
Those seeking information or support can contact the NSACP hotline at +94 703 733 933.
Details about testing and HIV awareness are also available via the “Know for Sure” mobile application launched by the Ministry of Health.
Additionally, individuals can use the HIV Test Kit to perform a self-oral fluid test and determine their HIV status privately.
The Need for Awareness
Experts stress that with even school-aged children now being affected, it is essential to integrate HIV education into school curricula to increase awareness and prevention.
