October 19, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has finalised a new financial agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), securing a loan of US$ 100 million aimed at strengthening the country’s healthcare infrastructure, with a particular focus on improving secondary-level medical services.
The initiative forms part of a broader effort to ensure equitable access to quality healthcare under the government’s commitment to universal health coverage.
The loan has been extended through ADB’s Ordinary Capital Resources and will directly support a national health development programme designed to improve the efficiency, reach, and responsiveness of the public health system—especially in areas serving as the first point of referral for patients beyond primary care.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the project will centre on three key areas: enhancing the delivery of first referral care services, building robust systems for pandemic prevention and emergency response, and improving technical capabilities within the health sector, including more effective management of the pharmaceutical supply chain.
In addition to the main loan facility, the programme will receive a supplementary grant of US$ 6.9 million from the ADB-managed Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response Trust Fund, further boosting the capacity of Sri Lanka’s healthcare system to respond to future health emergencies.
The agreement was formally signed by Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, on behalf of the Sri Lankan government, while Takafumi Kadono, ADB’s Country Director, represented the lending institution.
Officials involved in the project noted that the programme will play a critical role in bridging the gap between primary care and specialised hospital services, while also helping modernise health infrastructure and workforce training in line with global standards. Implementation is expected to be carried out in phases across multiple provinces, with particular attention to underserved and rural areas.
