Business

Bridging the Gaps: The COVID-19 crisis and Sri Lanka’s healthcare response

Published

5 years ago

2021/09/7

By Priyanka Jayawardena

Like many other countries, Sri Lanka faces numerous challenges in the battle against COVID-19. The pandemic has caused deep uncertainty and presented a colossal challenge for the country’s healthcare system. With the rapid increase in cases and the emergence of new variants, Sri Lanka began to face shortages of medical resources, including hospital beds and medical equipment.

The vaccination programme was beset with a host of problems early on due to the irregular and inconsistent supply of vaccines, disorganised deployment and deviation from the scientifically agreed prioritisation. There was also alleged misreporting of COVID-19 daily statistics in the Gampaha district and Eastern Province. The absence of real-time data acted as a hindrance to obtain a reliable risk assessment in the country. Against this backdrop, this blog examines the gaps in the ongoing pandemic control programme and outlines ways to bridge these gaps so that more lives could be saved from COVID-19.

COVID-19 Vaccination Programme

By mid-August 2021, more than 12 million Sri Lankans (55% of the population) had been vaccinated with at least the first dose. Other than the delayed supply of vaccines, there were issues related to getting approval for vaccine use and the vaccination prioritisation process. Moreover, many people were seen queuing up at vaccination centres aggravating health risks due to the lack of a properly planned system for vaccine deployment and the lack of an online appointment system. More recently, the government has taken several measures to improve the rollout, including expediting the procurement process and improving administration with the support of the defence services.

Gaps in Pandemic Control

Sri Lanka’s rate of COVID-19 screening has remained inadequate to prevent the spread of the virus. Systematic surveillance is crucial for the rapid identification and detection of suspected COVID-19 cases. With newer variants found to be more transmissible and deadlier, there is a need to identify mutants and track the nature of transmission. Currently, the University of Sri Jayewardenepura is the only institution equipped with laboratory facilities to conduct genomic sequencing to identify new variants.

Countries like Singapore, New Zealand and Australia systematically monitor the pandemic through extensive testing and contact tracing. These countries are conducting 10-100 times more tests than other countries with a similar number of new confirmed cases. Sri Lanka’s extent of testing relative to the scale of the outbreak (positive rate was around 10%), is on par with Thailand and Malaysia but lower than India, Vietnam and Cambodia where the positive rate is below 5%.

Further, a major challenge to the existing healthcare system is inadequate ICU beds, ventilators, oxygen supplies and other necessities required to care for patients with severe respiratory failure. The availability of ICU capacity plays a crucial role in critical cases, and constant and uninterrupted availability of oxygen supplied beds is needed to avert a disaster. Currently, less than 200 ICU beds are in isolation units for patients with severe COVID-19 symptoms, whereas just around 700 ICU beds are available in the hospital system of the entire country.

Equally, it is vital to have timely access to real-time data so that meaningful insights can be drawn but due to capacity constraints and administrative issues, PCR test results are reported to be delayed. In some districts, the delays are said to be longer than one week. Thus, delays in generating test results are a grave concern and represent a major obstacle in the COVID-19 control process. There is a growing need for immediate and accessible healthcare and digital healthcare resources to effectively respond to the challenges posed by COVID-19. However, Sri Lanka’s health information systems are weak and under-funded and the lack of an adequate central health database and IT infrastructure has hampered digital health services.

Towards a Stronger Healthcare Response

The healthcare system has to be streamlined to ensure a successful vaccination deployment and a smooth inoculation programme with online appointments including over the phone appointment facilities. Parallel to an efficient vaccination programme, an enhanced screening capacity is needed for the rapid identification of COVID-19 cases. Sri Lanka’s overall COVID-19 screening capacity remains low; therefore, expanding testing and increasing the health sector’s capacity to identify new mutants is vital to curb the pandemic. Random PCR testing too must be carried out in densely populated areas which are prone to be contagious, thereby taking additional precautionary measures.

There is a growing concern about the availability of medical supplies in emergency contexts. Sri Lanka has to effectively leverage its limited resources in response to the pandemic. The crisis response has seen local innovation in the manufacturing of ICU beds and lab consumables and there is further scope to encourage local enterprise and innovation for this purpose. For instance, a team of Sri Lankan scientists recently invented a new PCR test kit using NANO technology, which is said to drastically reduce the testing time from two hours to half an hour. There is now an opportunity to encourage local innovation and local production through such efforts, where they contribute to efficiency gains.

Furthermore, a robust laboratory strategy, which includes laboratory networking, communicating real-time information on COVID-19, quality assurance and adequate workforce capacity is important for rapid detection and case management. South Korea, for example, practised the disclosure of real-time information on COVID-19 by the government via dedicated websites, mass media, phone messages and mobile apps. Digitalisation of healthcare and effective use of technology for sharing real-time data, contact tracing and surveillance and coordinating the efficient use of clinical resources are vital for successful pandemic control. It is also necessary to improve systems to manage real-time data and decision-support systems. Improved functional integration and coordination in treatment centres and laboratory services bring in many benefits.

*This blog is based on the comprehensive chapter on “Coping with Pandemics: Sri Lanka’s Healthcare System” in IPS’ forthcoming ‘Sri Lanka: State of the Economy 2021’ report.

Link to original blog: https://www.ips.lk/talkingeconomics/2021/09/02/bridging-the-gaps-the-covid-19-crisis-and-sri-lankas-healthcare-response/

Priyanka Jayawardena is a Research Economist at the Institute of Policy Studies. Her research interests include education and skills development, labour economics, inequality analysis, health economics and child nutrition. She holds a BSc (Hon) in Statistics and an MA in Economics from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Talk to Priyanka – priyanka@ips.lk)

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Business

Ceylon Chamber of Commerce concludes high-level economic engagements in Mumbai

Published

23 hours ago

2026/05/24

Thilina Walpola

L-R - Manish Mohan, Vishal Kamat, Anurag Agarwal, Dr Rajesh Ravindra Gawande, Mahishini Colonne, Krishan Balendra, Duminda Hulangamuwa, Priyanga Wickramasinghe, Shiran Fernando

To catalyze bilateral trade and investment and drive regional economic integration, the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Mumbai facilitated a series of high-level strategic engagements between The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and leading Indian commercial institutions on May 13 and 14.

The delegation from The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce was led by its Chairman Krishan Balendra, CEO of John Keells Holdings Pvt Ltd and comprised a distinguished group of Sri Lankan industry leaders from Hirdaramani Group, Maliban Biscuit Manufactories (Pvt) Ltd, Sierra Cables PLC, A. Baur & Co. (Pvt) Ltd, Jetwing Travels (Pvt) Ltd, Ceylon Biscuits Ltd, Hayleys PLC, Vidullanka PLC, MAS India Clothing (Pvt) Ltd, Tudawe Brothers (Pvt) Ltd, David Pieris Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, Bank of Ceylon, Aitken Spence PLC, LTL Holdings Ltd. and Orel IT Pvt. Ltd.

On May 13, The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce jointly hosted the ‘India–Sri Lanka Business Forum: Partnering in Sri Lanka’s Growth and Investment’ and an exclusive CEO interaction in Mumbai. The forum convened senior government officials, policymakers, and industry leaders from both countries.

These included, among others, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India Mahishini Colonne; Consul General of Sri Lanka in Mumbai Priyanga Wickramasinghe; Senior Economic Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka Duminda Hulangamuwa; Secretary (Protocol, FDI, Diaspora & Outreach) and Chief of Protocol Government of Maharashtra Rajesh Ravindra Gawande; Co-chairman, CII Western Region Sub-committee on International Trade & Investment and Chief Executive Officer, Polycab India Ltd. Anurag Agarwal; Chairman, CII Western Region Sub-Committee on Tourism and Hospitality and Executive Director, Kamat Hotels India Ltd Vishal Kamat and Secretary General & CEO of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Shiran Fernando.

Conversations centered on accelerating cross-border cooperation across high-priority sectors, including technology, manufacturing, healthcare, renewable energy, and digital transformation.

On May 14, the delegation engaged in productive Business-to-Business sessions with the IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, culminating in the formal renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding between The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and IMC. The delegation also participated in an interactive session hosted by the World Trade Center (WTC) Mumbai and the All India Association of Industries (AIAI).

The two-day mission concluded with a robust exchange of views cementing a strong foundation for sustained bilateral collaboration and paving the way for a new era of industrial synergy between Colombo and Mumbai. (Consulate General of SL, Mumbai)

Business

Commercial Bank among the first banks to partner with Port City Colombo to open a branch

Published

23 hours ago

2026/05/24

Thilina Walpola

Sanath Manatunge, Managing Director/CEO of Commercial Bank and Xiong Hongfeng, Managing Director of CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd. exchange the agreement in the presence of senior representatives of the two companies

Demonstrating its commitment to supporting the nation’s next phase of economic transformation, Commercial Bank of Ceylon has become one of the first banks in Sri Lanka to enter into an agreement to establish a fully-fledged branch at Port City Colombo, marking a significant step in the Bank’s strategic expansion into the country’s emerging international financial hub.

The agreement was signed by Sanath Manatunge, Managing Director/CEO of Commercial Bank, and Xiong Hongfeng, Managing Director of CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd. The partnership further reinforces Commercial Bank’s position at the forefront of Sri Lanka’s evolving financial landscape.

The proposed branch will function as a fully-fledged banking branch, offering a full spectrum of products and services tailored to the needs of corporates, investors, businesses and retail customers operating within the Port City Colombo ecosystem. These will include digital banking facilities, trade services, foreign currency transactions, corporate banking solutions, deposits, lending, card services and remittance facilities.

By establishing a presence within Port City Colombo, the Bank said it aims to further strengthen its ability to support cross-border business and investment flows while positioning itself to meet the sophisticated requirements of global investors, multinational corporates and high-net-worth individuals expected to operate within the Special Economic Zone.

Commenting on this ground breaking initiative, Sanath Manatunge, Managing Director/CEO of Commercial Bank said the Bank’s decision to establish a fully-fledged branch within Port City Colombo reflects both its long-term confidence in the project and its readiness to support the evolving needs of a globally integrated financial ecosystem.

“As Sri Lanka’s largest private sector bank with a strong track record in serving corporates, international clients and high-value businesses, we see Port City Colombo as a pivotal development in the country’s economic future,” he said. “Our presence within this Special Economic Zone will enable us to seamlessly support cross-border transactions, facilitate international trade and investment, and deliver world-class banking solutions backed by advanced digital capabilities. Being one of the first banks to formalise plans for a full-service branch within Port City Colombo reaffirms our role as a pioneer in driving financial innovation and supporting national development.”

A 269-hectare extension of Sri Lanka’s central business district, Port City Colombo is being developed as a multi-service Special Economic Zone designed to serve as a regional financial centre, business and lifestyle hub. One of the largest public-private partnership projects in the country, it is envisioned as a catalyst for high-value investments, underpinned by advanced infrastructure, cutting-edge technology and a progressive regulatory framework.

“Our role as master developer goes beyond building the city itself. It is about creating the foundations for a functioning international business and financial hub,” said Mr Xiong Hongfeng, Managing Director of CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd. “The establishment of institutions such as Commercial Bank within Port City Colombo is an important part of that process, because it brings real operational depth and credibility into the ecosystem from an early stage. It reflects the broader momentum behind the project and the growing shift towards a more globally connected, investment-driven economy in Sri Lanka.”

Business

Lumbini Tea wins top global honours in UK

Published

23 hours ago

2026/05/24

Thilina Walpola

Sri Lanka’s renowned specialty tea brand “Singharaja Wiry Tips,” produced by Lumbini Tea Valley Ceylon, has won two major accolades at the prestigious “The Leafies International Tea Awards” held recently at Fortnum and Mason in the United Kingdom.

The award-winning low-grown Ceylon tea secured the titles of “Best Ceylon Black Tea” and the overall “Best of All Black Teas,” emerging as the top black tea entered at the international competition.

With these latest honours, “Singharaja Wiry Tips” has now earned its 43rd and 44th international awards, further strengthening its reputation as one of the world’s most highly awarded black teas.

Classified as FBOPF EX SP (Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe Fannings Extra Special), the tea is named after its distinctive golden-tipped wiry leaves and unique flavour profile derived from the ecosystem surrounding the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Singharaja Rainforest, which borders the Lumbini plantation.

Lumbini Tea Valley’s latest innovation, “Lumbini Screw Buds,” also received high commendation at this year’s competition, highlighting the company’s continued excellence in producing premium Ceylon teas.

Chairman and Managing Director Chaminda Jayawardena, who accepted the awards in London, credited the achievement to the dedication of the Lumbini workforce and the support of nearly 1,800 tea farmers supplying high-quality green leaf harvested using the traditional “two leaves and a bud” method.

by SK Samaranayake