Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that healthcare is not merely a service but a fundamental social necessity, requiring strong regulation and governance to protect and promote public well-being.
She made these remarks while addressing the Centenary Celebration of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC), held on July 5 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo.
A commemorative stamp was unveiled at the event to mark 100 years of service by the SLMC, according to the Prime Minister’s Media Division.
In her address, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of producing humane, empathetic, and ethical medical professionals through quality medical education.
She commended the SLMC on its 100-year milestone and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the council in the years to come.
Dr. Amarasuriya highlighted that medicine carries a unique responsibility, as it involves dealing with life itself, and praised Sri Lanka’s healthcare system for maintaining public trust even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister of Health and Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, also present at the ceremony, noted that healthcare is undergoing a profound transformation, with trends such as universal health coverage, digitised care, and genomic medicine reshaping the sector.
He stressed that healthcare regulation must evolve alongside these changes and identified the SLMC as a vital partner in shaping the future of healthcare in Sri Lanka.
Dr. Jayatissa also acknowledged the council’s role in areas such as licensing, education standards, ethical oversight, and workforce planning, which are essential to ensuring quality, safety, and accountability in the health sector.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including ambassadors, the Attorney General, Supreme Court justices, and members of the SLMC.
