Sri Lanka reports between 8,500 and 9,500 tuberculosis (TB) cases each year, according to a senior official from the National Programme for Tuberculosis Control and Chest Diseases (NPTCCD).
In 2025, the country identified 8,726 TB cases. Around 75% of these were pulmonary TB, while approximately 5,500 patients were infectious and capable of spreading the disease, said Mizaya Cader, a consultant community physician at the program.
She also noted that nearly 45% of TB cases come from the Western Province, with higher concentrations in densely populated parts of Colombo district such as Modara, Mattakkuliya, Borella, Wanathamulla, and Grandpass.
‘‘Tuberculosis primarily spreads through the respiratory system. When a TB patient coughs, sneezes, or even talks or laughs, the bacteria are released into the environment. People who are not yet infected can then contract the disease. Pulmonary TB can further spread the infection to other parts of the body. Early detection and treatment of patients before the disease progresses is essential to controlling TB,’‘ Dr. Shantilatha explained.”
Health officials expect the number of cases to decrease slightly by about 500 next year.
