News Event and Announcements

The Responsive Parenting Guidebook for Mothers’ Support Groups was launched on 28 July 2026 at Sofia Colombo City Hotel. The event was graced by Dr. Asela Gunaratne, Director General of Health Services, as the Chief Guest. The guidebook was developed to support Mothers’ Support Groups in promoting responsive parenting, positive parent–child relationships, and healthy early childhood development.

මව් හවුලට ප්‍රතිචාරාත්මක දෙමපියභාවය පිලිබඳ අත්පොත

National Review of Mother Support Group Activities – 2025 was held on 29th and 30th January 2026 at Taj Samudra Hotel, Colombo, under the theme “Fostering Collective Action for Healthier Communities: Empowering Families, Strengthening Livelihoods, and Building Resilience Together.” The event brought together Mother Support Group members and public health personnel from across the country to share experiences, showcase community initiatives and recognize outstanding contributions towards improving family health, nutrition and community well-being. towards improving family health, nutrition and community well-being.

The Health Promotion Bureau (HPB) successfully conducted the *Annual Media Personnel Appreciation Ceremony 2025, with the participation of the *Honourable Minister of Health, to recognize the importance of effective communication in advancing national health promotion.

The event brought together media professionals and health-sector stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and promote the effective dissemination of accurate, timely and relevant health information to the public.

In an evolving communication environment, the HPB recognizes the complementary value of traditional media—including television, radio and print—and emerging digital platforms such as websites and social media. Strengthening engagement across these channels is essential to reaching diverse communities and improving health literacy.

The HPB remains committed to working with media and communication partners to develop innovative and effective approaches to health communication and promotion. Together, we can strengthen health communication and contribute towards a healthier and better-informed Sri Lanka.

On 29th November 2024, an advocacy program was successfully conducted at Base Hospital Walasmulla for the hospital health staff. The program introduced and reinforced the health-promotive hospital concept, emphasizing the integration of health promotion principles into routine hospital practices. 

The Preschool Health Promotion Setting is one of the 5 settings focused for health promotion by the Health Promotion Bureau. The progress of preschool health promotion settings development program is reviewed annually by the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation unit. The key stakeholders representing health, early childhood development and preschool settings from provincial, district and divisional levels gather at the review to present the progress based on three key areas of evaluation: establishment, functionality and multi-sector engagement in implementation of preschool health promotion program. While progress is reviewed, many success stories and experiences are shared for wider learning. This year the annual preschool health promotion progress reviews started from 26th November 2024 where Western and Southern Provinces were reviewed. On 29th November Central, Uva and Sabaragamuwa Provinces, on 03rd December the North Western and North Central Provinces and on 10th December Northern and Eastern Provinces were reviewed. All officials from the different sectors were also appreciated by awarding a certificate of appreciation. UNICEF is the sole funding agency for this program.

Conducting lecture sessions for student PHMs on Reproduction module , life skill training and effective communication on 2024/11/18 to 19 targeting enhancing knowledge and skills through interactive learning, fostering practical understanding, empowering participants, and promoting effective application to achieve professional and personal growth.

A fitness programme was conducted by Dr Manola Nanayakkara, Consultant Physician in Sports and Exercise Medicine, TH Ragama to all the staff at HPB.