Sri Lanka has reported a cumulative total of 6,126 HIV cases from 2019 up to yesterday (30 November), according to the Ministry of Health’s National STD/AIDS Control Programme (NSACP). Of these cases, the majority—4,643—are males, while 1,472 females and 11 transgender individuals have also contracted the virus.
The NSACP’s 2nd Quarterly Report on HIV for 2024 highlights that 214 new cases were reported between April and June this year. Among these, 28 cases were individuals aged 15–24. Combined with the 207 cases recorded in the previous quarter (January to March), including 23 males and five females in the same age group, the total number of HIV cases in the first eight months of 2024 has reached 421.
The report also revealed a stark male-to-female ratio of HIV cases in both 2024 and 2023, standing at 7:1.
Speaking to The Sunday Morning, NSACP Director Dr. Vindya Kumarapeli emphasized the importance of raising awareness among youth, given the increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) within this demographic.
“Our awareness programmes aim to educate people on safe sex practices, with a specific focus on universities, higher education institutes, vocational training centers, and similar platforms,” she said.
Dr. Kumarapeli further stressed the need to extend such educational efforts to younger audiences in schools, addressing social stigma around the topic in a timely and age-appropriate manner.
The NSACP has introduced several initiatives to combat the spread of HIV, including free testing, the distribution of condoms, and oral HIV self-test kits.
“Between 2018 and 2021, we recorded approximately 250–350 cases annually,” Dr. Kumarapeli noted. “While the current numbers represent a gradual rise rather than a sudden surge, the increase remains significant compared to previous years.”
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is primarily transmitted through the exchange of bodily fluids during sexual intercourse, sharing needles and syringes, or breastfeeding. The virus attacks the immune system, making individuals more vulnerable to infections and diseases.
Sri Lanka’s first detected HIV case was reported in 1986. Over the years, effective control programmes have maintained the country’s HIV prevalence at less than 0.1% among the general adult population, one of the lowest in the world.
Today (1 December) marks World AIDS Day, a global observance aimed at raising awareness about HIV, combating stigma, and supporting those living with the virus.
