A total of 3,791 specialist doctors left Sri Lanka between 2020 and 2025, Deputy Health Minister Hansaka Wijemuni told Parliament on Thursday (06).
He said most had travelled overseas to pursue postgraduate studies, while others had left for employment, accompanied their spouses abroad, pursued further education or sought medical treatment.
Wijemuni said 280 doctors have applied to travel overseas so far this year.
He also revealed that 1,429 doctors were granted no-pay leave to go abroad between 2020 and June 2026. During the same period, 140 specialist doctors were also granted no-pay leave for overseas travel.
The Deputy Minister said the Health Ministry does not maintain data on doctors who resign or leave the service before migrating overseas.
He added that the government has introduced several measures to reduce the migration of doctors, with particular focus on creating a more favourable working environment within the country.
These measures include improving doctors’ allowances, transport and accommodation facilities, while additional proposals are currently under review. (Newswire)