Since Sri Lanka’s most recent Universal Health Coverage (UHC) policy was implementedin 2018, an analysis of its effectiveness in achieving health for all had notbeen conducted. Supportedby the Data Impact Program (DIP), a team of Ministry ofHealth (MOH) staff conducted the first comprehensive review of the UHC policythrough a series of key informant interviews, an analysis of the performance of14 WHO UHC service coverage indicators, and a desk review ofexisting policies.

The results were presented in a report titled “Analysis of Sri Lanka’s Policyon Healthcare Delivery for Universal Health Coverage” with key recommendations for the Government of Sri Lanka and the MOH toconsider as they revise the current UHC Policy and identify interventions toimprove coverage for all Sri Lankans. The launch event in August 2025 received media attention and was attended by the Minister of Health, the Director General of HealthServices, and the WHO Representative for Sri Lanka, as well as other seniorleadership in government. The event also included a panel discussion includingDIP representation, where speakers discussed the steps needed to achieve UHC inSri Lanka and the importance of data use for policy development andadvancement.

Buildingon the momentum from the launch, that same week, DIP and the MOH conducted an“Accelerating Policy Advancement” workshop to develop concrete plans to advancekey report recommendations on TB treatment coverage, hypertension and diabetesscreening, tobacco control, and strengthening Sri Lanka’s UHC data observatory.