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One of the most cost-effective health systems in crisis owing to corruption, nepotism, cronyism, bungling
Corruption, nepotism, cronyism and mismanagement were the reasons why Sri Lanka’s health system is in crisis, Secretary General of the Asia Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health (APACPH), Prof. Indika Karunathilake said recently at a televised dicussion.
“This happens at all levels. The system has failed. There are multiple checks and balances in the system to ensure that if something goes wrong at one level, it can be identified and rectified at another. But when these checks and balances are gone, the system collapses. This is what we are seeing now,” he said.
Prof. Karunathilake added a large number of health staffers had been compelled to leave the country, as well.
The Sri Lankan healthcare system is known as one of the most cost-effective systems in the world, Consultant Pediatrician Dr. Ajith Amarasinghe, who also appeared at the discussion, said. Sri Lanka’s per capita expenditure on healthcare is about 400 U.S. dollars a year, he added.
“In the UK, per capita expenditure on healthcare is about USD 4,000 a year. In the U.S its 9,000 dollars. However, Sri Lankan healthcare indices are comparable to the above mentioned developed countries. This excellent system is now facing a crisis. This crisis is not purely due to the economic crisis. The 2023 health budget is double that of 2021 in rupee terms. Even if you take depreciation, the spending has not declined. So, there is no reason for a shortage of drugs or equipment to occur.”
Dr. Amarasinghe said there is also a problem with the quality of drugs distributed in the government and private hospitals.
“The reputation of our system has been tarnished in a very short period of time. How did this happen and who is responsible? People who were in charge of the system in the past few years are responsible. Former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and his team are responsible. The Minister has been removed,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Professional Forum of Physicians on Medical and Civil Rights Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa said the achievements of the past with regards to health are being dismantled. The meternity mortality, the various indices of the health of children under five, etc., are showing a deterioration, he said.
President-Elect, Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama said the current crisis in the health system is unprecedented.
Dr. Thenuwan Wickramasinghe of the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) said patients coming into government hospitals have increased by 40 percent. This is because they can’t afford private healthcare.
“The healthcare system still survives because of the human capital,” he said.
A sum of LKR. 9,687,462, raised from day’s salary officers of the Police Department, has been donated to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established to support the recovery of communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah and to assist in rebuilding the country following the disaster.
To date, officers of the Police Department have contributed over LKR. 74 million to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund through three such contributions of one day’s salary.
The donation was presented on Wednesday (22) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat by the Personal Assistant to the Inspector General of Police, Senior Superintendent of Police C. C. Bamunuarachchi, to the Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
Chief Inspector Udaya Kumara, Officer-in-Charge of the Police Secretariat, was also present on the occasion.
[Presidents Media Division]
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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 26 April 2026, valid for 27 April 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry
of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to investigate the illegal diversion of Treasury funds, amounting to US$2.5 million to a third-party account.
Premadasa has said both the chairmanship and a majority of the Committee’s membership should be held by the Opposition to ensure impartiality.
The government has not only failed to account for the loss of US$2.5 million but also deliberately withheld information from Parliament, the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) and the public, Premadasa has told the media, accusing the ruling party of seeking to deflect responsibility by initiating an internal departmental inquiry, which he describes as a biased process designed to justify predetermined conclusions.
The Opposition Leader has said only a transparent and independent probe could establish the facts, adding that such an investigation could be effectively carried out through a Parliamentary Select Committee led by the Opposition.
He has also warned that the alleged failure to inform Parliament about the missing funds amounted to a serious breach of accountability.
Police officers donate LKR 9,687,462 from day’s salary to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund
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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time
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