The World Health Organization has presented a special citation to Sri Lanka recognising its maintenance of malaria-free status and elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus for ten consecutive years.
Sri Lanka received formal recognition from the World Health Organization during the 79th session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia in Dili, Timor-Leste. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus presented the citation to Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, with the award signed by Dr. Nilesh Buddha, Officer-in-Charge of the WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia.
The citation acknowledges two major public health accomplishments. Sri Lanka achieved WHO certification as malaria-free in 2016 and has sustained that status for a decade through prevention of disease reintroduction and spread. The country became the second nation in the South-East Asia Region to eliminate malaria, following the Maldives. Simultaneously, Sri Lanka has maintained the elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus for ten years through nationwide tetanus toxoid immunisation programmes targeting pregnant women.
According to the WHO, these sustained achievements reflect Sri Lanka's primary healthcare infrastructure, high immunisation coverage, effective disease surveillance mechanisms, and sustained national commitment. The organisation stated the accomplishments contribute to protecting Sri Lankan public health and supporting a healthier future for future generations. The WHO Regional Office described the recognition as acknowledging Sri Lanka's position among a select group of nations that have not only eliminated major diseases but maintained those eliminations over an extended period.