Sri Lanka has built a healthcare system celebrated for its blend of advanced private institutions and robust public hospitals. The country’s top hospitals regularly rank in global surveys, offering specialties ranging from cardiac surgery to oncology, trauma, maternity, and transplants. With English, Sinhala, and Tamil widely spoken in healthcare, international patients enjoy smooth experiences—whether for elective procedures or emergencies.
MyHospitalNow’s Sri Lanka hospital directory empowers patients to research, shortlist, compare, and connect with local and international leaders in care—all with transparent details and real patient feedback.
Start here:
Overview: Sri Lanka’s Hospital System & Top Specialties
Types of Hospitals
- Public Teaching Hospitals:
(e.g., National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Kandy Teaching Hospital)
Offer the full range of specialties, advanced surgery, emergency units, mother and child care, and academic excellence. - Private Medical Centers:
(e.g., Durdans, Nawaloka, Lanka Hospitals, Asiri, Asha Central)
Provide rapid elective surgery, personalized rooms, cutting-edge diagnostics, multi-language support, and premium comfort. - Regional Base Hospitals:
Anchor rural healthcare networks—focus on OB/GYN, emergency, child health, and preventive medicine.
Top Specialties
- Cardiology & Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Oncology & Hematology
- Neurosurgery & Trauma
- Orthopedics & Joint Replacement
- Renal/Nephrology & Dialysis
- Obstetrics, Neonatal & Pediatrics
- Plastic, Cosmetic & Laser Surgery
- Preventive Care & Vaccinations
- Emergency Medicine
How-To: Choosing and Using Your Sri Lankan Hospital
Step 1: Know Your Needs
- For critical injury or trauma: Head straight to a major public hospital (e.g., National Hospital Colombo, Kandy, Galle).
- Surgical or specialist care: Use the Hospitals in Sri Lanka category to scan specialties, procedure volumes, accreditation, and success stories.
- Maternity or pediatrics: Choose hospitals with dedicated units, neonatology, and emergent support (Lady Ridgeway, Nawaloka, Lanka, Durdans, Kandy).
- Chronic or planned treatment: Consider comfort and speed—private hospitals excel in streamlined diagnostics and elective care.
Step 2: Compare and Shortlist
- Hospital size, case volume, and available specialties.
- Staff credentials, ratio, and language skills.
- Genuine user stories: surgery recovery, maternity, pediatric, oncology journeys.
- Bedside comfort, private/family rooms, and support services (transport, translators, international desk).
Step 3: Plan and Prepare
- Bring identification, insurance, referral notes, and a list of medications/allergies.
- Ask about pre-op/diagnostics, ICU/post-surgery support, and family overnight facilities.
- For expats or visitors: verify your visa coverage and check if telehealth consults are offered.
Sri Lanka’s Top Hospitals: Comparison Table
| Hospital Name | City | Type | Key Specialties | Bed Count | Distinctions/Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL) | Colombo | Public | Trauma, cardiac, neuro, oncology | 3,404 | Global Top 100, JCI Accredited, largest in SL |
| Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children | Colombo | Public | Pediatrics, neonatal, pediatric surgery | 1,100+ | Global top children’s hospital |
| Durdans Hospital | Colombo | Private | Cardiology, neuro, oncology, ortho | 260 | LMD Trusted Brand, modern tech |
| Lanka Hospitals | Colombo | Private | Cardio, maternity, diagnostics, nephro | 350+ | Full-spectrum, rapid elective care |
| Nawaloka Hospitals | Colombo | Private | Ophthalmology, pediatric, gynecology | 1,600 | Popular for family and child care |
| Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital | Nugegoda | Public | Cardiac surgery, nephrology, general | 2,251 | Cardiac leader, HAS Accredited |
| Teaching Hospital Kandy | Kandy | Public | General, surgery, pediatrics, ob/gyn | 1,600 | Central Province referral, MSQH Accredited |
| Asha Central Hospital | Colombo | Private | Ortho, plastic, cardio, reproductive | 100+ | Renowned surgical team |
| China-Sri Lanka Friendship National Nephrology Hosp. | Polonnaruwa | Public | Nephrology, dialysis, ICU | 200 | Largest nephrology center SA |
| Gampola Base Hospital | Gampola | Public | OB/GYN, surgery, pediatrics, emergency | 1,100+ | Maternal & child health, ACHSI Accredited |
| Colombo South Teaching Hospital | Kalubowila | Public | Surgery, peds, ortho, cardiology | 1,100+ | Surgical/inpatient training center |
| Batticaloa Teaching Hospital | Batticaloa | Public | Surgery, general medicine, peds | 450+ | Eastern leader, rural outreach |
| Badulla General Hospital | Badulla | Public | General, emergency, pediatrics | 400+ | Uva Province anchor |
What Makes Sri Lanka’s Best Hospitals World-Ranked?
- Accreditation: Many public and private leaders feature global standards (JCI, HAS, ACHSI, MSQH).
- Expert Teams: International training, continuous education, and doctor-driven research.
- Innovation: First-to-market tech: advanced imaging, robotic surgery, digital records.
- Patient Experience: Multi-language support, telehealth, private/family recovery suites.
Patient Testimonials: Real Voices
- “NHSL treated my father’s heart attack with efficiency and expertise. All staff were kind and spoke both English and Sinhala.”
- “Maternity at Gampola was excellent. Nurses and doctors supported my birth every step of the way.”
- “My chemotherapy at Lanka Hospitals was fast, comfortable, and handled by a world-class oncology team.”
- “Kandy’s pediatric care was caring and thorough—my child has never been in better hands.”
Planning Checklist for a Hospital Visit
- ☐ ID/passport, insurance information, and medical reports
- ☐ All current prescriptions and allergy details
- ☐ Specialist referral, scan results for complex cases
- ☐ Emergency contact and transport options
- ☐ All pre-op and post-op instructions received in writing
- ☐ Support person arranged (highly recommended)
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Sri Lankan hospitals safe for complex treatments and emergencies?
Yes, especially at major public/teaching and trusted private hospitals—many are globally ranked for outcomes and safety.
Can I use English at hospitals?
Most major hospitals serve in English, Sinhala, and Tamil. Expat and tourist support teams are available at private and top public hospitals.
How do I compare prices, services, and outcomes?
MyHospitalNow presents side-by-side comparisons, real experiences, and up-to-date service details for all major hospitals in Sri Lanka.
Do I need a referral?
For elective surgery, yes. For emergencies, go directly to the facility.
Can I book from overseas or use telehealth?
Yes, with many private hospitals offering tele-appointments and online registration for expats and international patients.
Maximizing MyHospitalNow for Sri Lanka
- Browse the Hospitals in Sri Lanka category for hospital lists, testimonials, specialty directories, and downloadable pre-visit guides.
- Shortlist favorites and compare easily by specialty, city, accreditation, and patient ratings.
- Reach out for direct booking and personalized advice as needed.
Begin Your Sri Lankan Hospital Journey Now
From surgery and pediatric care to maternity and cancer treatment, Sri Lanka’s hospitals are internationally recognized for skill, safety, and value. Find the right provider for your needs at MyHospitalNow.
- Get started at the homepage
- Dive into the Hospitals in Sri Lanka category
Informed healthcare starts here—MyHospitalNow brings you Sri Lanka’s best hospitals, for you and your family.