13.9% of Pregnant Women in Sri Lanka Affected by Diabetes

20-Jan-2026

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The number of women developing diabetes during pregnancy is on the rise in Sri Lanka, according to Dr. Manilka Sumanathilaka, President of the Sri Lanka Medical Association and specialist in diabetes and endocrinology.

Speaking recently at a media briefing in Colombo, he attributed the increase mainly to pre-pregnancy obesity and unhealthy dietary habits.

He warned that babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes face a significantly higher risk of developing serious non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, later in life.

Dr. Sumanathilaka advised overweight women to reduce their body weight before pregnancy. Maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise to achieve a 7–10% weight reduction can considerably lower the risk, he said.