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Unsung guardians of motherhood: A day with a family health officer in rural Kalawana
They are rarely in the spotlight, yet their work quietly sustains generations. Family Health Officers form the backbone of Sri Lanka’s maternal and child healthcare system, standing by mothers from the earliest days of pregnancy through childbirth and well into a child’s formative years. While their services are invaluable, recognition for their tireless efforts—particularly in remote rural areas—remains limited.
One such officer is Suvinitha Wasanthi, attached to the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) Office in Kalawana. Her daily responsibilities take her deep into some of the most inaccessible villages in the area, where healthcare is not a convenience but a journey—often fraught with risk.
Originally from Kodippilikanda in Kalawana, Wasanthi now resides in the North Weddagala area following her marriage. From there, she travels across her assigned field—the Kudawa Family Health Division—which includes the Wewagama and Kudawa Grama Niladhari divisions. For her, covering difficult terrain is simply part of the job. “You have to work wherever you are assigned,” she says matter-of-factly.
The photographs show the extremely arduous field duties carried out by Mrs. Suvinitha Wasanthi of the Kudawa Family Health Division, attached to the Kalawana Medical Officer of Health (MOH) Office.
The challenges she faces are stark. Many villages lack proper roads, and mobile phone signals disappear long before emergencies arise. Rivers must be crossed using ferries or precarious makeshift bridges constructed by villagers from areca-nut tree trunks. Each crossing carries risk, yet turning back is never an option.
“I travel to both divisions to visit mothers and children,” Wasanthi explains. “There are many hardships, but that doesn’t mean we can neglect our service. In some villages, the bridges across rivers have been built by villagers themselves. We cross them at great risk. In certain areas, there is no phone signal to call for help if something goes wrong. Still, I make these journeys for the sake of the mothers and children living there.”
One of her most harrowing experiences occurred while travelling towards Pitigala Kanda, to a village called Dungena, where an estate is located. Access to the estate requires crossing by boat. “When I set out that day, the weather was bright and clear,” she recalls. “There was no sign of rain. But by the time I was returning, heavy rain had caused flooding. My phone wasn’t working either. I had no choice but to wade through the floodwaters to get back.”
The dangers do not end there. Forest paths often conceal snakes, making each journey an exercise in vigilance and courage. “We travel in constant fear,” she admits. “But it is also a job full of experiences.”
Despite the risks, Wasanthi says the emotional rewards outweigh the hardships. “When I take those risks, visit a mother and child, check on their wellbeing, and return, I feel a deep sense of personal satisfaction,” she says. “That feeling makes everything worthwhile.”
Across the country, many Family Health Officers and healthcare workers operate under similar conditions, going far beyond their formal duties to serve communities in need. Their work is not merely a profession but a humanitarian mission—one that deserves recognition, respect, and support.
This is just one story among many. Yet it stands as a reminder that behind Sri Lanka’s maternal and child health successes are dedicated individuals who brave isolation, danger, and hardship to ensure that no mother or child is left behind.
Text and Pic by Upendra Priyankara Jathungama ✍️
The Ambassador of Switzerland to Sri Lanka Dr. Siri Walt paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on the 17th of February at the Temple Trees.
Welcoming the Ambassador of Switzerland to Sri Lanka the Prime Minister briefed the Ambassador on her recent visit to Davos to participate in the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting noting that the series of high-level bilateral meetings held on the sidelines of the Forum, along with two important industry visits provided valuable insights for Sri Lanka’s economic engagement.
The discussion focused on Switzerland’s vocational education and training (VET) system, with particular interest in exploring possible cooperation and knowledge-sharing opportunities.
The Prime Minister also conveyed her appreciation for the assistance extended by the Government of Switzerland following Cyclone Ditwah. She emphasized Sri Lanka’s need for enhanced technical assistance during the ongoing rebuilding phase, especially in relation to the reconstruction of bridges and railway infrastructure.
Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Switzerland, and to expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
First Secretary (Political) of the Embassy of Switzerland in Colombo Ms. Justine Boillat, First Secretary (Migration) of the Embassy of Switzerland in Colombo Ms. Andrea Kienast and the Secretary to the Prime Minister, Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister, Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatt and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs , Foreign Employment, Tourism.attended the meeting.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Latest News
Advisory for low pressure area in the Southwest Bay of Bengal to the south-east of Sri Lanka
Advisory for low pressure area in the Southwest Bay of Bengal to the south-east of Sri Lanka.
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 03.00 pm on 18 February 2026
Multiday boats fishermen and naval community are warned that the low-pressure area still persists over the Southwest Bay of Bengal to the south-east of Sri Lanka. Under the influence of this system, heavy showers or thundershowers, Strong winds about (50-60) kmph, and rough or very rough seas can be expected in these sea areas.
The Meteorological Department is constantly monitoring the behavior of the system.
The naval and fishing communities are requested to be attentive to the future forecasts and bulletins issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard.
Canada, said to be the home to the largest Tamil Diaspora community, has expressed concern over the delay in holding Provincial Council (PC) elections. Canadian High Commissioner Isabelle Martin, on Monday (16), took up the issue with Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Professor Chandana Abayaratne.
Sources quoted Prof. Abayaratne as having told the Canadian HC that the delay was not deliberate on the part of the government. The Minister blamed, what the sources called, certain legal, technical and delimitation issues for the delay.
India compelled Sri Lanka to enact the 13th Amendment to the country’s Constitution to enable the setting up of the Provincial Council system, in line with the Indo-Lanka Peace Accord, which Sri Lanka signed under duress in July 1987.
Prof. Abayaratne has assured the Canadian HC that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, too, recognised the importance of strengthening the Provincial Council system as a solution to ethnic issues and that urgent steps would be taken in that regard.
During the discussion, matters relating to strengthening political, economic and social relations between the two countries were discussed.
In May 2020, Canada declared that Sri Lanka had perpetrated genocide during the war against the LTTE. Canada also sanctioned former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa in January 2023 over alleged war crimes.
The Canadian HC also explained her country’s ‘Indo-Pacific’ strategy and how Sri Lanka could benefit from it.
In particular, Canada’s “Pathways to Peace” project will support reconciliation between nations, and to improve communication by encouraging the learning of mutual languages as a second language, and it was also agreed to provide more opportunities for Sri Lankan students to pursue higher studies in Canada.
The Canadian delegation also expressed its willingness to provide the necessary technical assistance to solve the drinking water problems in Puttalam, Mannar and the North-Eastern provinces under technical cooperation, and to implement the relevant projects after a preliminary study.
by Shamindra Ferdinando
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