The Ministry of Health has revealed that 83 percent of all deaths in Sri Lanka are caused by non-communicable diseases, underlining a deepening public health crisis in the country’s ageing population.
Dr. Shreeni Alahapperuma, Director of the Non-Communicable Diseases Unit, disclosed that one in every three Sri Lankans suffers from heart-related ailments. Of those affected, 63.9 percent do not seek medical treatment.
Diabetes Treatment Gap
The figures for diabetes are equally concerning. Fifteen percent of the population has been diagnosed with the condition, yet 49 percent of diabetes sufferers are not receiving any treatment.
NCDs — which include cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory conditions — now account for the overwhelming majority of the country’s disease burden.
Context
The disclosure comes shortly after World Health Day 2026, observed on April 7, and follows the release of the 2024 census findings showing Sri Lanka’s population is rapidly ageing. An older population is inherently more vulnerable to chronic conditions.
The treatment gap is particularly alarming given that many NCDs are manageable with early diagnosis and consistent care. The Health Ministry’s data suggests that a significant portion of the population either lacks access to or actively avoids seeking treatment for conditions that are leading causes of death.
Sri Lanka’s ongoing doctors’ strike earlier this month further strained hospital services, though the industrial action has since been suspended.
