Lanka Hospitals expands services with LankaLifeLine and LankaCare

• 24/7 trauma care and home care services to cover mostly overlooked areas of healthcare
• Solution for Sri Lankan expats to manage family care back home
• New initiative as dollar income project for the nation
• Health and Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa calls for dual healthcare model blending public and private services to lift national standards and reduce hospitalisation
• Tourism Deputy Minister Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe welcomes new initiatives to promote medical tourism 
• Lanka Hospitals plans for extensive future expansions and investments on community-oriented healthcare solutions

By Safna Malik 

Redefining private healthcare services, Lanka Hospitals has significantly expanded its services with the recent launch of its two key initiatives LankaLifeLine, a dedicated trauma care service, and LankaCare, a home care service specialising in elderly and mobility support. 

These groundbreaking initiatives aim to extend essential medical attention beyond traditional hospital settings nationwide, serving both local residents and international visitors.

The official launch saw the participation of Health and Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa and Deputy Minister of Tourism Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe. They were joined by brand ambassadors Miss Sri Lanka 2025 Anudi Gunasekara and Mr Sri Lanka 2025 Megha Sooriyaarachchi, along with foreign diplomats, leading medical consultants, and industry leaders, reflecting the national importance and cross-sector impact of these initiatives.

LankaLifeLine provides a comprehensive, 24-hour response system for trauma victims. This system seamlessly integrates emergency coordination, rapid ambulance mobilisation, swift hospital transfers, and immediate access to multidisciplinary trauma specialists, guaranteeing timely and effective attention for every patient’s needs.

LankaCare provides a wide range of hospital-grade services delivered directly to patients’ homes. Designed for families seeking consistent, professional healthcare for their loved ones in Sri Lanka, irrespective of whether they reside locally or overseas, this initiative redefines care across distances and time zones, catering to needs ranging from post-surgical recovery, chronic illness management, elderly care, and specialised support for those with mobility needs and palliative requirements.

At the launch, Lanka Hospitals Group Managing Director Chaaminda Kumarasiri articulated the vision behind both new initiatives: “We are committed to making high-quality healthcare accessible in every part of Sri Lanka. At Lanka Hospitals, we believe every person has the right to be treated with the utmost respect and consideration, and we will be compassionate and sensitive to make a difference in the lives we touch. With LankaLifeLine and LankaCare, we extend that promise beyond hospital walls, delivering expert care into communities and homes across the country.”

Lanka Hospitals Group Managing Director Chaaminda Kumarasiri

He emphasised that the launch of LankaLifeLine and LankaCare is the definitive beginning of Lanka Hospitals’ sustained commitment to reshaping healthcare in Sri Lanka. He confirmed that extensive future expansions are already in line for both initiatives, and the Group has plans to further invest in integrated, community-oriented healthcare solutions that will ultimately foster healthier communities across the island, extending beyond Colombo.

Speaking about the initiatives in detail, Kumarasiri began with LankaLifeLine, the dedicated trauma care service. He explained that it offers a comprehensive, 24-hour response system designed to cover patients “From Scene to Surgery.” This involves rapidly assessing any form of injury, determining immediate care needs, and ensuring swift hospital transfers. The service is staffed by highly trained emergency physicians, nurses, and paramedics, ensuring rapid and expert attention where every minute is critical, thereby being prepared for every emergency.

Turning to LankaCare, Kumarasiri highlighted its significance as a home care service designed not only for local residents and Sri Lankans living abroad, but also for international clients who are in Sri Lanka for vacation or employment. He pointed out that the initiative is viewed as a crucial dollar income project for the nation. It offers a direct solution to the emotional struggles and challenges faced by almost 2 million Sri Lankans living abroad, often separated from their families due to work, business, or academic pursuits, and their concern for their loved ones’ well-being back in Sri Lanka.

Kumarasiri acknowledged the presence of other home care providers within the country, but asserted LankaCare’s capability to meet all common demands. He explained that LankaCare delivers comprehensive medical care directly to patients’ homes. These highly skilled professionals offer a range of services, including nursing, physiotherapy, medication management, and remote consultations. They work closely with family members, regularly following up to ensure patient safety, clear communication, and peace of mind. The service is designed to guarantee full coverage, with no shortfalls in treatment, advanced equipment, essential medical provisions, or specialist access.

Kumarasiri further elaborated on LankaCare’s distinct value proposition. Recognising the diverse healthcare needs of its clients, the service offers a comprehensive range of tailored packages, from basic to premium levels of care. Packages are designed to match individual preferences and budgets, prioritising aspects such as comfort, speed, or specialised services.

He stressed the commitment to complete financial transparency, ensuring no hidden costs. He further highlighted that Lanka Hospitals provides affordable and flexible payment options for this service, including acceptance of foreign currency, designed to cater to both local and international clients. Ultimately, LankaCare aims to deliver the standard of hospital-level treatment directly to the comfort of one’s home.

Challenging the public perception that the private healthcare sector cannot handle trauma management, Kumarasiri confidently affirmed Lanka Hospitals’ capacity to provide prompt and comprehensive care without delay. He highlighted that the hospital’s continuous investment in cutting-edge technology and robust professional development keeps it at the forefront of diagnostic healthcare.

Lanka Hospitals is fully equipped with advanced technology and boasts a team of highly skilled healthcare professionals. He also emphasised how strategic partnerships with key entities including the Health Ministry, the Disaster Preparedness and Response Division (DPRD), St. John Ambulance Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, and various independent clinicians and academic institutions significantly strengthen its overall readiness.

Health and Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa

Minister Dr. Jayatissa emphasised LankaLifeLine’s crucial role in addressing the profound emotional and psychological trauma experienced by victims and witnesses of accidents, crimes, or natural disasters.

He highlighted the 24/7 trauma care service as a vital, specialised unit, pointing out its importance especially due to the high incidence of accidents in the country.

Dr. Jayatissa also encouraged a dual healthcare model in Sri Lanka, blending free public services with paid treatment options based on individual choice and affordability. He called for stronger public-private partnerships in the health sector, citing successful implementations in India, China, and Singapore. The Minister emphasised that these collaborations should prioritise quality assurance and regulation over competition, enabling the public sector to elevate standards across private healthcare.

Addressing the growing demand for hospital care fuelled by non-communicable diseases and an ageing population, Dr. Jayatissa stressed the critical need for strengthened primary and emergency care to reduce hospitalisation rates. He linked these healthcare advancements to broader Government objectives, including tourism, asserting that improved services would benefit both locals and visitors.

He affirmed that the Government and private sector, working together, can build a balanced healthcare ecosystem that best serves the nation. Dr. Jayatissa reiterated that the state must remain responsible for the health of all citizens, even with private sector involvement, and pledged continued Government support for such initiatives.

Lanka Hospitals’ new LankaCare initiative gained significant public interest before its official launch, attracting 999 registered members. At the launch event, the 1,000th LankaCare membership card was presented to Dr. Jayatissa. This presentation officially made him the initiative’s 1,000th member, acknowledging the strong pre-launch engagement.

During the event, Tourism Deputy Minister Prof. Ranasinghe pointed out that trauma and home care represent key areas of the healthcare sector that have been largely overlooked. He affirmed that the Government stands ready to offer its fullest support to healthcare initiatives like this. According to Prof. Ranasinghe, such developments are crucial for promoting medical tourism; when services and hospitality are top-notch, visitors will seek out healthcare services, thereby boosting the country’s overall impression. He emphasised that these new services are strategic steps set to positively affect tourism and other sectors of national importance.

Featuring as brand ambassadors for the initiatives, Miss Sri Lanka 2025 Anudi Gunasekera and Mr Sri Lanka 2025 Megha Sooriyaarachchi highlighted the wide appeal and national importance of the new services offered by Lanka Hospitals.

Gunasekera, an International Relations graduate, expressed her appreciation for the initiative, describing it as a blend of Sri Lankan hospitality and diplomacy. She shared her personal experience, noting her mother’s recent surgery at Lanka Hospitals and having personally witnessed their compassionate service. This experience led her to confidently state that specialised services like trauma care and home care would be provided to the highest standards.

Sooriyaarachchi, having trusted Lanka Hospitals for a long time, openly expressed his strong belief in their services and facilities. He pointed out that these new programs are key for medical tourism. He believes such initiatives will help Sri Lanka’s medical quality reach new heights and elevate its standards to compete globally, attracting international recognition for the country’s excellent services and care.

Adding further depth to the discussion at the launch, Lanka Hospitals Medical Services Director Dr. Sanjay Ratnayake shared the reasons for the hospital’s commitment to high-quality standards. He stated that Lanka Hospitals holds the seventh edition of the Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation, a globally recognised certification for healthcare excellence. Lanka Hospitals Diagnostics (LHD) is the only Sri Lankan laboratory accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP). These accreditations have positioned Lanka Hospitals to further enhance the private healthcare sector across the nation.

Addressing the need for initiatives like LankaCare, Dr. Ratnayake highlighted a significant gap in healthcare access. Many Sri Lankans living overseas or with busy schedules within the country often face difficulties in promptly assisting elderly or mobility-challenged family members at home. He noted that emergency response times in cities frequently exceed 25 minutes, and a considerable number of vulnerable individuals, including the elderly, chronically ill, and post-surgery patients, lack access to necessary home-based support. Considering these factors, Lanka Hospitals has introduced a new care model, blending home care and mobile trauma response to deliver hospital-level care directly to individuals.

Brand Ambassadors Miss Sri Lanka 2025 Anudi Gunasekara and Mr Sri Lanka 2025 Megha Sooriyaarachchi

Dr. Ratnayake explained that they offer personalised medical support in the comfort of one’s home. This includes post-surgical nursing, monitoring for chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension, physiotherapy and rehabilitation, wound care, medication administration, doctor consultations with telehealth follow-ups, and convenient lab tests with sample collection at home. He added that the hospital’s team also offers a full range of essential services specifically tailored for international patients, ensuring world-class care from their arrival through to recovery.

He stated that the hospital operates not merely as a private healthcare facility but also under the Government umbrella, emphasising its extensive partnerships and public sector collaborations. Lanka Hospitals is part of a national effort to build a healthier, safer Sri Lanka, working hand-in-hand with national health bodies and global-standard partners to ensure every patient benefits from the strength of a truly united healthcare network.

Speaking about LankaLifeLine trauma care services, he asserted that Lanka Hospitals is not just reactive but prepared for emergencies. Their Trauma Response Protocols are based on World Health Organisation (WHO) Trauma System guidelines and customised for Sri Lanka’s unique needs. Whether it’s a household injury or a major incident, their trained professionals act fast, with precision and care, providing rapid on-scene assessment to evaluate injury severity and prioritise life-saving care directly at the scene. He also highlighted their robust Disaster and Mass Casualty Preparedness, with teams thoroughly trained and ready to respond effectively in large-scale emergencies under nationally coordinated plans. 

Dr. Ratnayake also emphasised their seamless collaboration with the Police, Fire Services, and Health Ministry, which ensures a unified, efficient, and swift response when every second counts.