Kandy National Hospital has received a major investment in advanced medical equipment aimed at improving access to specialist healthcare across Sri Lanka’s Central Province.

According to a report published by TDNG – The Day News Global, the hospital has integrated three modern medical systems valued at LKR 570 million into its clinical services. The equipment includes a second CT scanner for oncology and radiation therapy services, a second Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory, and an advanced digital mammography unit to support the early detection of breast cancer.

The inauguration took place under the patronage of Health and Media Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa, with Deputy Minister of Health Dr Hansaka Wijemuni also attending. The upgrade was funded through the Health System Enhancement Project, supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

For Sri Lankans living in the UK and elsewhere overseas, the development is an important healthcare update from Sri Lanka. Kandy National Hospital is a key referral centre for patients from across the Central Province and serves communities that may otherwise face long journeys and extended waiting times for specialised treatment.

New equipment expands specialist services

The newly integrated equipment is expected to strengthen the hospital’s ability to diagnose and treat serious health conditions more efficiently.

The main additions are:

• A second CT scanner dedicated to oncology and radiation therapy-related services
• A second Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory, commonly known as a Cath Lab
• A high-grade digital mammography unit for breast cancer detection

A CT scanner uses computer-assisted imaging to produce detailed views of the inside of the body. It can support the diagnosis and monitoring of cancer, cardiovascular conditions, stroke and other serious illnesses.

The addition of a second scanner is expected to increase the hospital’s imaging capacity and help reduce delays for patients requiring urgent or specialist investigations. It will also provide additional support for oncology services, where accurate and timely imaging is essential for diagnosis, treatment planning and follow-up care.

The second Cath Lab is another significant development for Kandy National Hospital. A Cath Lab is a specialised facility where doctors use imaging technology and thin catheters to examine and treat conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels.

These procedures can be used to investigate blocked arteries and provide treatments such as angioplasty and stent placement. Increasing the number of Cath Labs in a major regional hospital can help patients receive time-sensitive cardiac care closer to home.

Improved access to cardiac care

Heart disease remains a major public health concern, and delays in diagnosis or treatment can have serious consequences. Previously, patients requiring certain cardiac procedures could face pressure on existing facilities, particularly when a hospital serves a large regional population.

The new Cath Lab is expected to improve the hospital’s capacity to manage cardiovascular cases and reduce pressure on other tertiary referral centres. It may also help shorten waiting lists for patients who require diagnostic angiograms or interventional procedures.

Minister Jayatissa highlighted the scale of demand placed on National Hospital Kandy, which is one of Sri Lanka’s principal specialist hospitals. The institution has approximately 2,800 beds and serves patients from Kandy and districts across the Central Province.

The equipment upgrade forms part of a wider national plan to expand specialist cardiac services. The Minister said that the Ministry of Health intends to commission 16 Cath Lab units across the country’s regional hospital network during 2026.

The objective is to decentralise specialised care. In practical terms, decentralisation means enabling more patients to access advanced services in regional hospitals rather than requiring them to travel to a small number of major facilities in Colombo or other urban centres.

For families, this can mean shorter journeys, reduced travel costs and quicker access to essential treatment. It may also allow relatives living overseas to support loved ones more easily when care is available closer to their home district.

Digital mammography supports early breast cancer detection

The new digital mammography unit will strengthen breast cancer imaging services at the hospital.

Mammography is an X-ray examination used to identify changes in breast tissue. It can detect abnormalities that may not be noticeable through a physical examination, helping clinicians investigate potential cases at an earlier stage.

The unit installed at Kandy National Hospital is described as one of five advanced mammography machines being introduced to major state hospitals in Sri Lanka. The wider programme includes equipment for the National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Karapitiya National Hospital, Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, Kandy National Hospital and Apeksha Hospital.

According to information reported by NewsWire, the national mammography programme is intended to improve early detection and follow-up care for breast cancer. It is also designed to address long waiting times caused by high demand and limited imaging capacity.

The availability of modern mammography equipment at Kandy National Hospital will be particularly important for patients in the Central Province. Stronger regional services can make it easier for people to attend investigations, receive referrals and continue follow-up appointments without travelling long distances.

LKR 8,000 million in wider hospital development

The medical equipment installation is taking place alongside a much broader programme of development at Kandy National Hospital.

Minister Jayatissa said that projects valued at approximately LKR 8,000 million are currently under way at the hospital. These include construction and improvement work connected with cancer treatment and emergency care.

The planned facilities are intended to respond to the hospital’s high patient numbers and significant waiting lists. Investment in buildings, equipment and clinical services will be needed together to create a more efficient healthcare system.

Modern equipment can improve diagnosis and treatment, but its full benefit depends on appropriate facilities, trained staff, maintenance services and effective patient management. The ongoing construction projects are therefore an important part of the wider effort to expand the hospital’s capacity.

The development also reflects the importance of Kandy as a healthcare centre for the Central Province. The city serves not only its own residents but also patients from areas including Matale, Nuwara Eliya and other parts of the region.

A significant healthcare update from Sri Lanka

The Kandy National Hospital upgrade is a notable development for Sri Lanka’s public healthcare system. It brings together improved cancer imaging, cardiac intervention and breast cancer detection in one of the country’s most important regional hospitals.

For the Sri Lankan community in the UK, developments such as this provide valuable insight into progress in Sri Lanka’s public services. British Sri Lankan families often remain closely connected to relatives in the country, and improvements in regional healthcare can have a direct impact on parents, grandparents and extended family members.

The expansion of specialist services also contributes to a broader national goal: making advanced treatment available beyond the largest urban hospitals. If the planned network of 16 Cath Labs is delivered effectively, more patients across Sri Lanka may be able to receive timely cardiac care within their own regions.

The new systems at Kandy National Hospital are expected to improve diagnostic precision, support earlier detection of serious diseases and help reduce treatment delays. They also represent an important step towards strengthening healthcare access for thousands of people who depend on the hospital each year.

Important note on reported investment figures

The information supplied to elanka by TDNG describes the equipment package as being worth LKR 570 million.

A separate NewsWire report published on 15 August 2026, citing Ministry of Health and Mass Media information, gives a breakdown of LKR 250 million for the Cath Lab, LKR 180 million for the mammography unit and LKR 190 million for the CT scanner, producing a combined figure of LKR 620 million.

The difference may reflect separate valuations, project accounting or updated figures. Readers should refer to the official Ministry announcements and the original reports for the latest confirmed financial details.

Source: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/thedaynewsglobal-tdng-kandynationalhospital-share-7494680011270942720-Zi0u/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAA6d9hIBkIh9030rWZ4SPN7oycafGFwTvj8
This article was written based on the sourcehttps://www.linkedin.com/posts/thedaynewsglobal-tdng-kandynationalhospital-share-7494680011270942720-Zi0u/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAA6d9hIBkIh9030rWZ4SPN7oycafGFwTvj8 kindly email us at info@eLanka.com.au if any information needs to be corrected.