According to the Ministry of Health, the initiative operates under the “Healthy Sri Lanka” programme, launched on the instructions of Nalinda Jayatissa.
Programme Builds on Pilot Phase
The Ministry said five wellness centres were established during 2025 as part of the pilot phase. These centres were opened in Mapalagama (Galle), Ath Oya (Ratnapura), Thalpitiya (Kalutara), Polgollawatta (Kandy), and Gankanda (Matale).
Building on this experience, the Ministry plans to set up 250 new wellness centres islandwide within this year. For this purpose, Rs. 1,500 million has already been allocated from the current national budget.
Centres to Cover 21 Districts
The 42 centres scheduled to open in this phase will be located across a wide geographic spread.
These include three centres in Colombo, two in Gampaha, three in Kalutara, two in Kandy, and one in Ratnapura. In addition, two centres each will be opened in Galle, Matara, Hambantota, Batticaloa, Kalmunai, Kurunegala, Puttalam, Badulla, Monaragala, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Ampara, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya, and Trincomalee, while one centre will be established in Matale.
Official Launch in Kalutara
The official inauguration of the programme will take place under the patronage of Minister Jayatissa, with the opening of the Kananwila and Heenatiyangala wellness centres in the Kalutara District.
Focus on Accessible Community Healthcare
The wellness centres are designed to deliver quality primary healthcare in easily accessible locations. Each centre will operate with a healthcare team of eight members, including a family physician and a community health nurse.
According to the Ministry, the centres will function with strong community participation and support from local organisations. They will also respond to both routine and emergency health needs specific to each area.
Wide Range of Health Services
Services offered through the centres will cover a broad range of essential care. These include the detection and management of non-communicable diseases, early cancer screening, minor surgical procedures, elderly care, rehabilitation and palliative care, primary eye care, oral health services, and mental health care and counselling.
In addition, the centres will provide nutrition services, alcohol rehabilitation and counselling, youth and adolescent health services, selected laboratory investigations, and community health awareness programmes.
Officials said empowering communities with health knowledge remains a key objective of the initiative.
Last modified: January 22, 2026
