President pushes primary healthcare, procurement reform in pre-Budget review

Reviews progress of projects funded under 2025 Budgetary allocations to Health and Mass Media Ministry Ministry covers 41 institutions under four departments Highlights new National Health Policy and Strategic Plan will be launched next year Calls for urgent improvements in procurement of medical equipment and medicines Directs officials to expedite acquisition of essential vehicles for critical services within 2025 Aims to expand “Suwa Seriya” ambulance service to 400 new locations Opines State media responsible for shaping public attitudes, directs to prepare dedicated financial plan to strengthen this role Discusses modernising Postal Service into hybrid courier and digital service

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PRESIDENT Anura Kumara Disanayake on Tuesday underscored sweeping reforms in the country’s health and mass media sectors, directing officials to prioritise primary healthcare expansion, procurement efficiency, and institutional modernisation in the 2026 Budget.

As , held at the Presidential Secretariat, evaluated progress of projects funded under the 2025 Budgetary allocations to the Health and Mass Media Ministry, covering 41 institutions under four departments. It also served as a pre-Budget consultation for the upcoming year.

A key focus was strengthening the primary healthcare network. Currently, one Primary Health Centre caters to around 30,000 people. The Government plans to scale this to one centre for every 10,000 people, a move that would significantly expand grassroots health access.