India and Sri Lanka have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the deployment of 100 additional fully equipped ambulances under Sri Lanka’s 1990 Suwa Seriya National Emergency Ambulance Service, with a grant assistance of LKR 1,725.73 million from the Government of India.
The agreement was exchanged between Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha and Sri Lanka’s Secretary of Health and Mass Media, Dr Anil Jasinghe, in Colombo on November 11, 2026. The exchange took place in the presence of India’s Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda and Sri Lanka’s Health Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa during the first BIMSTEC Health Ministers’ Meeting.
The additional ambulances are expected to strengthen the existing emergency response network and help reduce response times to under 10 minutes. The initiative follows a request from the Sri Lankan leadership.
India has supported the development of the Suwa Seriya service since its launch in July 2016, initially providing USD 7.5 million in grant assistance for 88 ambulances, one year of operational expenses and the establishment of an emergency response centre.
In July 2018, the service was expanded across Sri Lanka with an additional Indian grant of USD 15.02 million, covering 209 ambulances, operational expenses and training costs.
India’s healthcare cooperation with Sri Lanka also includes the construction and upgradation of several hospitals, including Dickoya Hospital, Jaffna Teaching Hospital and facilities in Kilinochchi and Vavuniya. Ongoing projects include the development of emergency facilities at Mannar District General Hospital, a medical ward complex at Mullaitivu District General Hospital and the supply of medical equipment to Base Hospital, Deniyaya.
