Sri Lanka Faces Public Health Crisis Amid Rising HIV and STIs

Strategic Insights -

Health authorities in Sri Lanka are sounding the alarm as over 150,000 individuals engage in high-risk sexual and drug-related behaviors, with experts warning of a potential sharp rise in HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) without immediate intervention. The National STD/AIDS Control Programme has identified 127,511 high-risk individuals nationwide, including Female Sex Workers (FSW), Men who have Sex with Men (MSM), People Who Inject Drugs (PWID), Beach Boys (BB), and Transgender Women (TGW). Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, Chairman of the Medical and Civil Rights Doctors' Union Alliance, highlights the dire situation, citing alarming rates of HIV/AIDS and other STIs among high-risk groups.

Key Takeaways:

  • 127,511 high-risk individuals have been identified nationwide, including Female Sex Workers, Men who have Sex with Men, People Who Inject Drugs, Beach Boys, and Transgender Women.
  • The majority of high-risk individuals, particularly transgender women, show alarming patterns of syphilis and HIV infections, with 13.3% syphilis positive and 1.4% HIV prevalence.
  • A total of 6,000 people are currently living with HIV/AIDS, mostly in the Western Province, with high infection rates reported from several other provinces.
  • Transgender women show the highest rates of syphilis (13.3%) and HIV (1.4%).
  • MSM show rates of syphilis (2.9%) and HIV (1.5%).
  • Female sex workers show syphilis (3.2%) and HIV (1.8%).
  • 39,547 individuals were living with HIV in 2024, with 25,969 aware of their status.
  • Over 1.2 million HIV tests were conducted in 2024.
  • Nearly 593,000 condoms were distributed among high-risk groups in 2024.
  • First-quarter 2025 data show 5,700 people living with HIV, with 10 AIDS-related deaths, fewer than 500 new infections, and an adult HIV prevalence (ages 15-49) of 0.1%.
  • Among 15-24-year-olds, 30 males and two females were reported with HIV.

Statistics:

  • 127,511 high-risk individuals have been identified nationwide.
  • 6,000 people are currently living with HIV/AIDS, mostly in the Western Province.
  • 13.3% of transgender women test positive for syphilis.
  • 1.4% of transgender women test positive for HIV.
  • 2.9% of MSM test positive for syphilis.
  • 1.5% of MSM test positive for HIV.
  • 3.2% of female sex workers test positive for syphilis.
  • 1.8% of female sex workers test positive for HIV.
  • 39,547 individuals were living with HIV in 2024.
  • 25,969 individuals were aware of their HIV status in 2024.
  • 1,200,000 HIV tests were conducted in 2024.
  • 593,000 condoms were distributed among high-risk groups in 2024.
  • 5,700 people were living with HIV in the first quarter of 2025.
  • 10 AIDS-related deaths were reported in the first quarter of 2025.
  • Fewer than 500 new HIV infections were reported in the first quarter of 2025.
  • The adult HIV prevalence (ages 15-49) is 0.1% in the first quarter of 2025.

Sources:

  • National STD/AIDS Control Programme under the Health Ministry, Sri Lanka.
  • Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, Chairman of the Medical and Civil Rights Doctors' Union Alliance.