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Household healthcare costs rise, access to primary healthcare declines: IPS

Published

1 year ago

2024/10/13

ECONOMYNEXT —Household healthcare costs in Sri Lanka have risen 48 percent within a year from 2020 to 2021 and access to primary healthcare has declined from 95 percent in 2019 to 82 percent in 2022/2023, the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) said.

Speaking at an event on Tuesday October 08, IPS Economist Sunimalee Madurawala said that, though the country once prided itself on achieving remarkable health outcomes with minimal spending, recent crises have exposed significant weaknesses in the system.

“Sri Lanka allocates only 8-9% of its total public spending to healthcare, far below the global average,” Madurawala said, noting that household healthcare costs have skyrocketed – rising by 48 percent within just one year from 2020 to 2021.

Access to primary healthcare has also declined – from 95 percent in 2019 to 82% in 2022/2023 at the national level, with rural areas hit the hardest, she said, adding that rising healthcare costs are straining both wealthy and poor households, with the poorest bearing the brunt.

To combat these challenges, the IPS has recommended expanding social health insurance, reducing out-of-pocket healthcare costs, and promoting public-private partnerships. Lessons from countries like Thailand and Indonesia, which have implemented long-term health reforms, could provide a roadmap for Sri Lanka, the institute said in a statement.

Participants speaking at the event called for strengthening primary healthcare at the local level. While groundwork has been laid with support from organisations like the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), there are still significant gaps in training medical officers to implement these reforms effectively, the IPS said. The need for infrastructure development, particularly for telemedicine, is also important, underlining the challenges of delivering healthcare in remote areas.

“These findings underscore the urgent need for proactive policies that address inequality, improve welfare targeting, and strengthen healthcare access. As Sri Lanka navigates its economic recovery, it is essential to ensure that the most vulnerable groups are not left behind in creating a more equitable and healthier future,” the institute said.

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Colombo Stock Exchange (GL 12) donates LKR 25 million to the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” Fund

Published

4 hours ago

2026/01/24

Priyan

The Colombo Stock Exchange (GL 12) has contributed LKR 25 million to the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund.

The cheque was handed over to the Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake by the Chairman of the Colombo Stock Exchange, Dimuthu Abeyesekera, the Chief Executive Officer Rajeeva Bandaranaike and Senior Vice Chairman Kusal Nissanka at the Presidential Secretariat.

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Karu argues against scrapping MPs’ pension as many less fortunate members entered Parliament after ’56

Published

12 hours ago

2026/01/24

Thilina Walpola

Karu Jayasuriya

Former Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressing concerns over the proposed abolition of MPs’ pensions.The letter was sent in his capacity as Patron of the Former Parliamentarians’ Caucus.

In his letter, Jayasuriya noted that at the time of Sri Lanka’s independence, political participation was largely limited to an educated, affluent land-owning elite. However, he said a significant social transformation took place after 1956, enabling ordinary citizens to enter politics.

He warned that under current conditions, removing parliamentary pensions would effectively confine politics to the wealthy, business interests, individuals engaged in illicit income-generating activities, and well-funded political parties. Such a move, he said, would discourage honest social workers and individuals of modest means from entering public life.

Jayasuriya also pointed out that while a small number of former MPs, including himself, use their pensions for social and charitable purposes, the majority rely on the pension as a primary source of income.

He urged the President to give due consideration to the matter and take appropriate action, particularly as the government prepares to draft a new constitution.The Bill seeking to abolish pensions for Members of Parliament was presented to Parliament on 07 January by Minister of Justice and National Integration Dr. Harshana Nanayakkara.

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Johnston, two sons and two others further remanded over alleged misuse of vehicle

Published

12 hours ago

2026/01/24

Thilina Walpola

Former Minister Johnston Fernando and others being escorted out of the Wattala Magistrate Court premises yesterday

Five suspects, including former Minister Johnston Fernando and his two sons, who were arrested by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), were further remanded until 30 January by the Wattala Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

The former Minister’s , sons Johan Fernando and Jerome Kenneth Fernando, and two others, were arrested in connection with the alleged misuse of a Sathosa vehicle during Fernando’s tenure as Minister.

Investigations are currently underway into the alleged misuse of state property, including a lorry belonging to Lanka Sathosa, which reportedly caused a significant financial loss to the state.

In connection with the same incident, Indika Ratnamalala, who served as the Transport Manager of Sathosa during

Fernando’s tenure as Minister of Co-operatives and Internal Trade, was arrested on 04 January.

After being produced before the Wattala Magistrate’s Court, he was ordered to be remanded in custody until 09 January.The former Sathosa Transport Manager was remanded on charges of falsifying documents.