WHO Sri Lanka

16/02/2026

The WHO Representative to Sri Lanka had the honour of joining Respire 2026 inauguration as Chief Guest on 15 February, hosted by the Sri Lanka College of Pulmonologists, engaging with a distinguished gathering of clinicians, researchers, and health leaders dedicated to strengthening respiratory health across the country.

Under the theme “Breathing New Life: Resilience, Innovation and Equity in Respiratory Care,” the discussions highlighted the critical role of respiratory health in building resilient health systems particularly in the face of pandemics, economic challenges, and climate-related risks.

Respiratory health remains central to key global and national priorities, including tuberculosis elimination, noncommunicable disease prevention, air quality and environmental health, and emergency preparedness. Meeting these challenges requires clinical excellence, strong surveillance, operational research, innovation, and evidence-informed policymaking. Advances in digital health, telemedicine, improved diagnostics, and continued investment in young clinicians and researchers will be vital to shaping the future of respiratory care in Sri Lanka.

WHO reaffirms its commitment to working closely with the Sri Lanka College of Pulmonologists to translate global guidance into national action ensuring equitable access to timely, high-quality respiratory care for all people in Sri Lanka.

Together, we move forward in building resilient, people-centered health systems where everyone can breathe freely.

16/02/2026

Survival for children with cancer still differs greatly, depending on where they live. World Health Organization (WHO) is working to address this, driven by the goal of ensuring access to care for all children.

In high-income countries, where comprehensive cancer care is widely available, more than 80% of children with cancer are cured. But in many low- and middle-income countries, fewer than 30% survive.

The Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer, a unique collaboration with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, is committed to increasing global childhood cancer survival to at least 60% by 2030, while reducing suffering and improving quality of life.

https://www.who.int/initiatives/the-global-initiative-for-childhood-cancer

14/02/2026

Childhood cancer is rare but can happen. And the good news is: most children with cancer can survive with treatments that already exist today. Generic medicines, surgery, and radiotherapy can offer many children a real chance of recovery.

When childhood cancer services are within reach, more than 80% of children can be cured.

13/02/2026

Today, the WHO Representative to Sri Lanka, together with the WHO team, held a productive discussion with the Deputy Director General (Laboratory Services), Dr Priyantha Attapattu, and his team, along with key directorates under his leadership including Director, Laboratory Services – Dr Suranga Dollamulla & team, Director, Medical Research Institute – Dr Upali Karunarathne & team, Deputy Director, National Blood Centre – Dr Senerath Jayasekara & team.

The meeting focused on strengthening laboratory services in Sri Lanka through enhanced collaboration, technical cooperation, and coordinated implementation of priority programmes.

Discussions centered on advancing quality assurance systems, strengthening diagnostic capacity, enhancing biosafety and biosecurity standards, expanding molecular testing capabilities, and supporting workforce development. Emphasis was also placed on improving surveillance systems, laboratory networking, and preparedness for emerging and re-emerging diseases.

WHO remains committed to working closely with the Ministry of Health and all partners to support Sri Lanka in building a robust laboratory system that underpins disease surveillance, outbreak response, blood safety, and overall public health security.

12/02/2026

WHO recommends less than 5 g of salt per day to lower the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.

Check your salt intake. Read labels of food products.

12/02/2026

Stay healthy. Eat healthy.

✔ Limit salt intake to less than 5 grams a day
✔ Cut down on sweets and sugary drinks
✔ Watch your fat intake
✔ Eat more fruits and vegetables

11/02/2026

Today, the WHO Representative to Sri Lanka and the country team held discussions with DDG NCDs, Dr Champika Wickramasinghe, and the National Cancer Control Programme team. The primary focus was on collaborative programmes aimed at strengthening cancer prevention and control.

Key actions were mutually agreed upon to advance initiatives related to cancer screening, early detection, diagnostics, childhood cancers, and cancer registries. The discussions underscored the importance of enhancing these areas to improve cancer outcomes and survival.

11/02/2026

Today, the WHO Representative to Sri Lanka met with Dr W K Wickremasinghe, Additional Secretary (Medical Services) of the Ministry of Health and Mass Media.

The discussion focused on several national priorities critical to health systems strengthening, including:

➡️ Finalization and implementation of the Human Resource for Health (HRH) Masterplan 2026-2035 and efforts to enhance HRH information systems.
➡️ Continued support to strengthen health data systems, including National Health Accounts, National Health Workforce Accounts and International Classification of Diseases (ICD).
➡️ Advancing emergency preparedness and response.

WHO remains committed to supporting the Government in building a resilient, people centered health system and advancing progress toward universal health coverage in Sri Lanka.

11/02/2026

11/02/2026

In a recent interview with The Morning, Marc-André Franche, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, reflects on what recent disasters have revealed about vulnerability and preparedness, why resilience must focus on people most at risk, and the importance of allocating land in safe areas with secure ownership as a foundation for long-term recovery.

From early warning systems to inclusive recovery, the conversation looks at how the UN is supporting Sri Lanka to reduce risks and turn crisis into an opportunity to build a safer, fairer future.

Read the full interview here:👉 https://bit.ly/3M4lX29

09/02/2026

WHO Representative visited the Department of Ayurveda today, meeting the Commissioner General of Ayurveda and senior officials of the Department to discuss on advancing Sri Lanka’s Traditional, Complementary & Integrative Medicine (TCIM) agenda.

Discussions focused on implementing the National Traditional Medicine Policy 2024–2034, strengthening research capacity, scaling ICD-11 implementation, and supporting quality, safety and modernization of TCIM services.

WHO is dedicated to supporting Sri Lanka’s efforts to build evidence-informed, culturally grounded traditional medicine for improved health and progress towards Universal Health Coverage.