The government spends more than Rs. 6 million of public funds to train a single doctor in Sri Lanka, the Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, Dr. Upali Pannilage stated.

The Minister made these remarks while addressing a ceremony to open a private hospital in Kiribathgoda today (04).

According to Minister Pannilage, the cost of producing a medical graduate is significantly higher compared to other professions. He noted that while approximately Rs. 3 million is spent to train an engineer, the amount doubles when it comes to medical education.

Dr. Pannilage emphasized that successive governments since independence have prioritized maintaining a free healthcare system. He stressed that access to healthcare should not depend on an individual’s financial status.

“It is not appropriate to determine whether a person lives or dies based on the money in their wallet,” the Minister said, adding that the government remains committed to strengthening free healthcare services.

He further pointed out that Sri Lanka currently has between 35,000 and 38,000 doctors, with around 25,000 to 28,000 serving in government hospitals. These professionals, he noted, carry a significant social responsibility, and the public expects a high standard of service from them.