August 2025

Since Sri Lanka’s most recent Universal Health Coverage (UHC) policy was implemented in 2018, an analysis of its effectiveness in achieving health for all had not been conducted. Supported by the Data Impact Program (DIP), a team of Ministry of Health (MOH) staff conducted the first comprehensive review of the UHC policy through a series of key informant interviews, an analysis of the performance of14 WHO UHC service coverage indicators, and a desk review of existing 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 to consider as they revise the current UHC Policy and identify interventions to improve 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 Health Services, and the WHO Representative for Sri Lanka, as well as other senior leadership in government. The event also included a panel discussion including DIP representation, where speakers discussed the steps needed to achieve UHC in Sri Lanka and the importance of data use for policy development and advancement.

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