– Nearly 20 percent of Sri Lanka’s population suffers from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), describing the figure as a serious public health concern, Health and Mass Media Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said.Speaking at the inauguration of the new ward complex at the Veediyagoda Ayurvedic Base Hospital today (14), the he said non-communicable diseases currently account for around 80 percent of hospitalizations and deaths in the country.Citing a 2024 report by the Department of Census and Statistics, the Minister said that nearly one-fifth of the population, including children, is affected by some form of non-communicable disease.

He highlighted that controlling NCDs requires greater attention at the community and village levels rather than relying solely on expensive medicines and advanced medical technology.Minister Jayatissa also announced that 16 state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization laboratories (Cath labs) are expected to be installed in major hospitals across the island this year at a cost exceeding Rs. 3 billion.He said 10 Cath labs are currently operational within the state hospital system and the addition of the new units would help reduce waiting lists for cardiac treatment.The Minister further said that despite large investments in modern medical equipment, the country’s non-communicable disease prevention and control sector remains weak and requires stronger grassroots-level programs.