June 22, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s public healthcare system is set for a significant technological boost with the rollout of a fleet of advanced CT scanners to hospitals across the country, a move aimed at strengthening early disease detection and improving emergency medical care.
The Ministry of Health and Mass Media has announced an investment of nearly Rs. 2 billion to procure and deploy 11 state-of-the-art CT scanning units, which are expected to enhance the diagnosis of a wide range of serious conditions, including stroke, cancer, cardiovascular disease and traumatic injuries.
Health officials say the initiative forms part of a wider strategy to modernise medical infrastructure and ensure patients have faster access to high-quality diagnostic services within the state healthcare network.
Several hospitals have already begun receiving the new equipment. A cutting-edge 128-slice CT scanner valued at over Rs. 200 million has been commissioned at the Teaching Hospital in Kalutara, while a separate scanner costing around Rs. 160 million has been installed at the Teaching Hospital in Kurunegala.
Further strengthening specialised healthcare services, four additional high-performance scanners have been allocated to major tertiary-care institutions, including the National Hospital in Colombo, the National Hospital in Kandy, the National Hospital in Galle and the Colombo South Teaching Hospital. The procurement of these units was supported through funding assistance from the Asian Development Bank, with installation and commissioning work currently progressing.
The next phase of the programme will see advanced imaging systems supplied to the Teaching Hospital in Kuliyapitiya as well as District General Hospitals in Dambulla, Nawalapitiya, Chilaw and Mannar. Authorities have earmarked close to Rs. 950 million for this stage of the project.
Medical professionals note that many hospitals have long relied on older-generation 16-slice scanners, which, while functional, offer limited imaging capabilities compared with modern systems. The newly introduced 64-slice and 128-slice scanners can generate more detailed images in a shorter timeframe, enabling clinicians to make quicker and more accurate diagnoses.
The upgraded technology is expected to play a critical role in emergency departments, where rapid assessment can be the difference between life and death. Specialists say improved imaging will support faster identification of internal injuries, blocked arteries, neurological disorders and other complex medical conditions, helping to reduce treatment delays and improve patient outcomes.
The benefits of the initiative are also expected to extend beyond major urban centres. By expanding access to advanced diagnostic equipment in regional and provincial hospitals, patients in outlying districts will increasingly be able to receive sophisticated investigations closer to home, reducing the need for long-distance travel and easing pressure on larger referral hospitals.
According to health authorities, the investment reflects the Government’s broader commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery through modern technology, improved clinical decision-making and enhanced access to lifesaving medical services.
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