– President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has announced plans to introduce a new primary healthcare-based system aimed at changing the way patients access hospitals and specialist services in Sri Lanka.Under the proposed system, patients would no longer be able to independently choose which hospital or specialist to visit for every medical condition. Instead, they would first be directed to a primary-care doctor, who would assess their condition and refer them to a higher-level facility when necessary.The government plans to establish 1,000 new “Arogya” centres across the country as part of the initiative. These centres are expected to serve as the first point of contact for families seeking medical care.

The President said the system would help ensure that patients receive appropriate treatment at the right level of care, while reducing unnecessary visits to major hospitals.