1,282 new leprosy patients in Sri Lanka

24-Jan-2026

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One in every 10,000 people in the country is affected by leprosy, according to health authorities. 

Deputy Director of the National Leprosy Control Programme, Consultant Community Physician Dr. Yasodha Weerasekara, stated that 1,282 new leprosy patients were identified in the country last year alone, of whom 10 percent were children under the age of 15.

She made these remarks at a press conference held at the Health Promotion Bureau on 22 January 2026, in connection with International Leprosy Day.

Dr. Weerasekara noted that International Leprosy Day is observed annually on the last Sunday of January, which falls on 25 January this year. She emphasized that leprosy has not yet been completely eradicated from society.

According to available data, 123 of the newly identified patients last year were children under 15 years of age. She further stated that eight percent of identified patients presented at hospitals only at advanced 

stages of the disease, already suffering from disabilities or physical weakness.

Delayed detection of the disease in an infected person increases the risk of transmission to others. As such, the early identification of new patients has become essential to prevent the spread of the disease. 

Family members, neighbours, and co-workers who have prolonged close contact with infected individuals are at higher risk.

She also pointed out that prevailing misconceptions about leprosy within society hinder patient identification, stressing the importance of patients overcoming hesitation and seeking treatment voluntarily.