The second phase of the nationwide initiative to set up 1,000 wellness centres is set to deliver 42 new facilities across 21 districts on January 24, expanding access to quality primary healthcare services for communities throughout Sri Lanka.
According to the Ministry of Health, the initiative is being implemented under the “Healthy Sri Lanka” programme, launched on the instructions of the Minister of Health, Nalinda Jayatissa.
Five wellness centres were established in 2025 in Mapalagama in Galle District, Ath Oya in Ratnapura District, Thalpitiya in Kalutara District, Polgollawatta in Kandy District, and Gankanda in Matale District.
Building on the experience gained from the pilot phase, the Ministry plans to establish 250 new wellness centres islandwide within this year. A total of Rs. 1,500 million has already been allocated for this purpose from the current national budget.
These centres will be established in the following districts: three in Colombo, two in Gampaha, three in Kalutara, two in Kandy, one in Ratnapura, two each in Galle, Matara, Hambantota, Batticaloa, Kalmunai, Kurunegala, Puttalam, Badulla, Monaragala, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Ampara, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya and Trincomalee, and one in Matale.
The official inauguration of the programme will be held under the patronage of Minister Jayatissa, with the opening of the Kananwila and Heenatiyangala wellness centres in Kalutara District.
These wellness centres are designed to provide a wide range of primary healthcare services, located in easily accessible areas. Each centre will be staffed by a healthcare team of eight, including a family physician and a community health nurse.
The centres are expected to operate with strong community participation and the involvement of local organisations, while also establishing mechanisms to address both routine and emergency health issues specific to the local population. Empowering the public with knowledge and awareness of health is a key objective of the project.
Services to be provided include the detection, treatment and management of non-communicable diseases; early detection of cancer; minor surgical procedures; elderly care; rehabilitation and palliative care; primary eye care; oral health services; mental health care and counselling; nutrition services and counselling; alcohol rehabilitation and counselling; youth and adolescent health services; selected laboratory investigations; and community empowerment initiatives, among a broad range of essential primary healthcare services. (Newswire)