The Cabinet has approved the formation of a review committee to update the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance of 1897, aiming to better address contemporary health threats amid increased global travel and trade.
Sri Lanka's primary legislation governing the prevention of communicable diseases and quarantine procedures dates back to 1897, but officials have identified significant gaps in its ability to address modern health challenges. According to The Island, the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance No. 3 of 1897 remains the core legal framework for disease control, yet it has not been substantially updated to reflect current realities.
The growing volume of international and domestic movement of people, goods, and services has created heightened risks for rapid disease transmission across borders, prompting renewed focus on legislative reform. Although the Cabinet initially approved amendments to the ordinance in 2016, these proposed changes were never formally presented to Parliament for consideration.
In response to these delays, the Cabinet of Ministers has now authorized the establishment of a Review Committee tasked with examining the previously drafted amendment bill. The committee, initiated through a proposal by the Minister of Health and Mass Media, will assess the proposed changes and recommend updates that address both current health threats and potential future challenges. The review process is intended to incorporate lessons learned from past epidemiological situations that have tested the limits of existing legislation.
The move represents an acknowledgment that Sri Lanka's disease control framework requires modernization to effectively manage contemporary public health threats in an increasingly interconnected world.