Sri Lanka is experiencing a clear rise in male-dominant HIV infections, with the majority of newly reported cases in 2025 occurring among men, according to the latest data from the National STD/AIDS Control Programme.
During the second quarter of 2025 (April–June), 200 new HIV cases were recorded, while the first quarter saw 230 cases—the highest number reported in a single quarter since 2009.
Among the new cases reported between April and June, 20 males and one female were from the 15–24 age group, with the remaining cases involving individuals above 25 years. The male-to-female ratio of HIV cases reported in 2025 stands at a striking 7.6 to 1, underscoring the continued dominance of infections among men.
So far this year, 23 HIV/AIDS-related deaths have been reported. In comparison, 47 deaths were recorded in 2024, during which more than one million HIV tests were conducted nationwide.
Since 2009, Sri Lanka has documented a total of 6,759 HIV cases—5,366 males and 1,573 females—highlighting a long-term trend of higher infection rates among men.
In response to the rising numbers, the National STD/AIDS Control Programme has proposed incorporating HIV/STI prevention education—including condom use, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)—into the school curriculum. However, the proposal is still under review and has faced criticism.
