Unsafe sex, drug use drive rise in HIV cases in Sri Lanka

Health
By Editor_1
Sri Lanka has recorded a steady annual increase in HIV infections, with the highest number of cases continuing to be reported from the Colombo and Gampaha districtsn- FPA/File

COLOMBO – Sri Lanka recorded 875 newly diagnosed HIV cases in 2025, amid growing concerns over increased drug use, unsafe sexual practices and the spread of infections among people who inject drugs, a senior health official said on Thursday (8).

Dr Sathya Herath of the National STD/AIDS Control Program said drug use, including injecting drugs, was becoming increasingly normalized in society and was contributing to the spread of HIV, hepatitis C and other sexually transmitted infections.

Speaking at a media briefing held at the office of the ‘Together as One’ national action program, Dr Herath said the number of HIV cases associated with drug use had continued to rise since 2022.

She said the HIV diagnosis rate currently stood at 56%, while only 52% of those diagnosed were receiving treatment.

Dr Herath also highlighted the prevalence of hepatitis C among people who inject drugs, saying the infection had been detected in between 40% and 50% of this group.

She said drug use could increase the risk of HIV transmission by contributing to unprotected or group sexual activity, particularly when individuals were under the influence of drugs.

A recent study involving 360 people in the Kompannavidiya area had identified HIV in 45 participants, she said.

Although significant progress had been made globally in controlling HIV, Sri Lanka was facing new challenges due to increasing unsafe sexual activity and the growing number of people who inject drugs, Dr. Herath said.

She said specialized treatment, prevention, counselling and testing services were available through 41 dedicated centres in 25 districts. Community-level medical clinics were also being conducted to reach people who were reluctant to seek treatment at hospitals.

Dr Herath stressed that prevention and early access to testing and treatment were essential to reducing the spread of HIV and other infections.

–ENCL

Editor_1
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