News
Healthcare system in crisis due to corruption and mismanagement
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Sri Lanka’s once highly-praised healthcare system is facing a severe crisis, and the root causes can be traced to corruption, nepotism, cronyism, and mismanagement, according to Professor Indika Karunathilake, the Secretary-General of the Asia Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health (APACPH).
In a scathing assessment of the situation, Professor Karunathilake highlighted that these issues permeate every level of the healthcare system, ultimately leading to its failure. He expressed concern that multiple checks and balances that should identify and rectify problems have broken down, causing the system to collapse. This ongoing crisis has had severe consequences, including the forced departure of numerous healthcare professionals from the country.
Sri Lanka’s healthcare system has long been admired for its cost-effectiveness, with a per capita healthcare expenditure of approximately $400 per year, a fraction of what developed countries like the UK and the US spend. Dr. Ajith Amarasinghe, a Consultant Pediatrician, pointed out that despite this modest budget, the healthcare indices in Sri Lanka are comparable to those of wealthier nations. He emphasized that the current crisis cannot be solely attributed to the economic downturn, as the 2023 health budget is double that of 2021, even after accounting for depreciation.
One concerning aspect is the quality of drugs distributed in both government and private hospitals. Dr. Amarasinghe raised the issue of tarnishing the reputation of the healthcare system in a short period, attributing the blame to individuals who have overseen the system in recent years. He specifically mentioned former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and his team, noting that Minister Rambukwella has since been removed from his position.
Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, Chairman of the Professional Forum of Physicians on Medical and Civil Rights, lamented the dismantling of past healthcare achievements, such as maternal mortality rates and child health indices, which have seen a worrying decline.
Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama, President-Elect of the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA), said that the current crisis as unprecedented.
Dr. Thenuwan Wickramasinghe of the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) said that a 40 percent increase in patients seeking care in government hospitals due to the inability to afford private healthcare. He underscored that the healthcare system continues to operate because of the dedication and resilience of its healthcare professionals.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in a high-level dialogue titled “Tourism as Soft Power and Diplomatic Capital” held at the Euronews Hub, Piz Buin Davos, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum on January 20.
The session explored how tourism functions as a strategic instrument of diplomacy by strengthening international trust, cultural exchange, and regional cooperation through mobility and people-to-people engagement. The Prime Minister shared the panel with Mr. Kuban Omiraliyev, Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States and Mr. Meshari Alnahar – CEO Aseer Investment Company, Saudi Arabia.
Addressing global trends, the Prime Minister emphasized that Sri Lanka is an example of hope, recovery and resilience in a world of conflict demonstrating how tourism can play a critical role in a changing global environment particularly amid climate shocks, geopolitical instability, and uneven economic recovery. She noted that tourism is not only an economic sector but also a vital diplomatic bridge that supports livelihoods, builds relationships and connects people.
Drawing on Sri Lanka’s recent experience, she highlighted the country’s strong tourism recovery despite multiple crises, including the impact of Cyclone Ditwah. Transparent crisis management and strategic engagement with international partners helped sustain visitor confidence, resulting in record tourist arrivals even in challenging circumstances.
The Prime Minister also underscored the importance of green and climate friendly tourism infrastructure and underlined that Sri Lanka welcomes long term investment in tourism. She pointed out that tourism supports millions of jobs worldwide and that inclusive policies are essential to ensure fair opportunities, particularly for women and vulnerable communities.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
During an operation conducted in the dark hours of 20 Jan 26, the Sri Lanka Navy seized two (02) Indian fishing boats and apprehended seven (07) Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, off Kovilan, Jaffna.
The seized boats and Indian fishermen was to be handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Myliddy, Jaffna for onward legal proceedings.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in a series of high-level bilateral meetings on January 20 on the sidelines of the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.
The Prime Minister attended a productive bilateral meeting with Mr. Jozef Síkela, European Commissioner for International Partnerships. During the discussion, both sides focused on strengthening Sri Lanka–EU cooperation and advancing mutual interests.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya also met with Mr. Masato Kanda, President and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), at the WEF Congress Centre. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss ongoing engagement and future collaboration between Sri Lanka and the ADB.
In addition, the Prime Minister held discussions with Mr. Hassan El Houry, Chairman of Menzies Aviation, where opportunities for collaboration in aviation services and connectivity were explored.
The Prime Minister also participated in a high-level dialogue at the Global Tourism Forum held at the Euronews Hub, Piz Buin, Davos, as part of the World Economic Forum engagements.
Dr. Anil Jayantha, Minister of Labour, and the Deputy Minister of Finance were also present at these meetings.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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