2026 Budget to Fund Health Infrastructure Upgrade

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Cabinet has granted approval for nine new health sector projects aimed at improving the nation’s healthcare standards, according to Health and Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, who announced the decision at the weekly Cabinet briefing held today (18) at the Department of Government Information.

Dr. Jayatissa said the projects were identified as priorities under the 2026 State Investment Program, following the recognition of the urgent need to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and services. These initiatives will be funded through allocations in the upcoming 2026 Budget.

List of Approved Projects

1. National Oral Health Survey – 2025/2026

2. Expansion of Kurunegala Teaching Hospital’s four-story building to establish a proposed operating theatre, endoscopy unit, and pre-cardiothoracic surgical ward.

3. Construction of a five-story building at Matale District Hospital for a maternal care unit equipped with surgical and radiology facilities.

4. Five-story building at Maharagama Oral Health Services Institute with outpatient facilities and specialized units.

5. Five-story building for the Institute of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology (for the Colombo Forensic Medicine Unit).

6. Phase I and II of a building complex at Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital for emergency and critical care services.

7. Official quarters for specialist doctors and medical officers at Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital.

8. Expansion of the radiology unit at Batticaloa Teaching Hospital.

9. Construction of a National Cardiac Center at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka.