By The Pulseline News Desk
Sri Lanka’s healthcare sector continues to grapple with a sustained outflow of medical professionals, with nearly 3,800 doctors having migrated over the past five years, according to figures tabled in Parliament.
Deputy Health Minister Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni revealed that 3,791 medical officers had migrated between 2020 and 2025, underscoring the long-term challenge of retaining qualified healthcare professionals amid growing overseas opportunities.
Responding to a question raised by opposition member of parliament (MP) Dayasiri Jayasekara, the Deputy Minister said the government also continues to receive requests from doctors seeking overseas employment or study leave.
According to the figures presented, 280 medical officers have already applied for foreign no-pay leave during 2026, while a total of 1,429 medical officers and 140 specialist medical officers were on overseas no-pay leave between 2020 and June 19, 2026.
Dr. Wijemuni noted that the majority of doctors leaving the country have done so to pursue postgraduate education abroad, suggesting that many are seeking advanced professional qualifications rather than permanently exiting the profession.
However, the figures are likely to reignite concerns over the ongoing brain drain in Sri Lanka’s public health sector, which has struggled to retain experienced doctors in the wake of the country’s economic crisis.
Medical professionals have increasingly sought opportunities overseas in recent years, citing better salaries, improved working conditions, career advancement and access to specialised training. The exodus has placed additional pressure on state hospitals already facing shortages in several specialties and rural healthcare institutions.
While the government maintains that postgraduate studies account for much of the overseas movement, health sector observers have repeatedly warned that many doctors who leave for training eventually choose to remain abroad, attracted by stronger healthcare systems and higher living standards.
The latest parliamentary figures highlight the continuing challenge facing policymakers as they seek to strengthen the country’s healthcare workforce while balancing doctors’ professional aspirations with the needs of Sri Lanka’s public health system.
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