For travelers, expats and medical tourists, understanding the system of hospitals in Sri Lanka is just as important as knowing which beaches to relax on or which cultural sites to visit when planning your sri lanka trips. Sri Lanka combines a long-standing public healthcare network with a fast-growing private sector, so in the main cities you’ll find modern facilities, English-speaking doctors and specialists trained overseas.
This guide highlights some of the best hospitals in Sri Lanka in Colombo and Kandy, with practical insights on what each facility is good for, how to choose between public and private care, and what to expect when you walk into a Sri Lanka hospital as a foreign visitor during your Sri Lanka trips.
Top hospitals in Colombo Sri Lanka
Colombo is the heart of modern healthcare and home to many flagship hospitals in Sri Lanka. If you need specialist care, complex surgery or advanced diagnostics, this is usually where you’ll be referred.
1. National Hospital of Sri Lanka – Public Pillar of Hospitals in Sri Lanka
Address: National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Regent Street & Kynsey Road, Colombo 10, Sri Lanka
The National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL) is the largest public Sri Lanka hospital, and the top referral center for major trauma and complex cases from across the island. With thousands of beds and a full range of specialties (from neurosurgery and cardiology to nephrology and oncology), it forms the backbone of the government system of hospitals in Sri Lanka.
For travelers, NHSL matters because:
- It is the main tertiary referral facility if you suffer a severe accident or sudden critical illness anywhere in the country.
- It offers highly experienced consultants and surgeons, although the environment is busy, crowded and very “local” in feel.
If you’re used to sleek private clinics, the scale of this public sri lanka hospital can be overwhelming, but the level of clinical expertise is strong, especially in emergency and complex care.
2. Lanka Hospitals – Flagship Private Hospitals in Sri Lanka (Colombo)
Address: Lanka Hospitals, 578 Elvitigala Mawatha, Colombo 05, Sri Lanka
Lanka Hospitals (formerly Apollo) is one of the most respected private hospitals in Sri Lanka, known for its strong cardiac unit, advanced imaging, oncology services and comprehensive surgical facilities. Many doctors here have international training, and English is widely spoken.
Why travelers and expats choose it:
- Modern infrastructure and stringent infection-control standards.
- Wide choice of specialists for cardiology, orthopedics, gastroenterology, neurosurgery and more.
- Comfortable private rooms and clear billing, which helps when claiming on insurance.
If you’re planning a procedure in Colombo, Lanka Hospitals is often on the shortlist when people compare the best hospitals in Sri Lanka for complex but non-emergency care.
3. Asiri Health – Asiri Central & Asiri Surgical – Multi-Specialty Sri Lanka Hospital (Colombo)
Address (Asiri Central): No. 114 Norris Canal Road, Colombo 10, Sri Lanka
Address (Asiri Surgical): No. 21 Kirimandala Mawatha, Colombo 05, Sri Lanka
Asiri Health is the largest private group of sri lanka hospitals, and its Colombo branches—Asiri Central and Asiri Surgical—are known for a strong mix of diagnostics and specialized care. Asiri also operates its own laboratory network, which many clinics and smaller Sri Lanka hospitals use for testing.
Key strengths:
- Comprehensive diagnostics (MRI, CT, advanced lab panels) in-house.
- Strong departments in cardiology, oncology, orthopedics, neurology and general surgery.
- Online doctor booking and organized outpatient clinics, making it easier to find appointments even at short notice.
For foreigners staying long term, Asiri offers a good balance between cost, quality and access, and is frequently mentioned when people talk about the best hospital in Sri Lanka in the private sector.
4. Durdans Hospital – Historic Private Hospitals in Sri Lanka (Colombo)
Address: Durdans Hospital, No. 3 Alfred Place, Colombo 03, Sri Lanka
Durdans is one of the oldest private sri lanka hospitals and has built a reputation over decades for innovation and patient-centered care. It’s especially well known for cardiology and cardiac surgery, but also provides a full range of specialties including internal medicine, neurology, ENT and women’s health.
Why Durdans is popular:
- Central location in Colombo 3, close to major business hotels and embassies.
- Good cardiac care, including interventions and surgery, which is critical if you have known heart issues while traveling.
- A range of room types, from standard shared rooms to suites, which suits different budgets.
For many visitors, Durdans feels like a “classic” private Sri Lanka hospital—not the newest, but experienced, well-run and familiar to insurance providers.
5. Nawaloka Hospital – Central City Hospital in Sri Lanka (Colombo)
Address: Nawaloka Hospital, No. 23 Deshamanya H.K. Dharmadasa Mawatha, Colombo 02, Sri Lanka
Nawaloka is another major private Sri Lanka hospital and a pioneer in bringing higher-end private healthcare to Colombo. It has hundreds of beds, a busy outpatient department and a large pool of visiting consultants.
Highlights:
- Strong diagnostic imaging and lab services, which means faster results for tests and scans.
- Good option for general surgery, internal medicine, orthopedics and routine medical check-ups.
- Frequently used by corporate clients and insured expats living or working in central Colombo.
If you’re staying downtown, Nawaloka is one of the most accessible hospitals in Sri Lanka, and often has dedicated desks to help international patients with documentation and billing.
6. Ninewells Hospital – Women & Children’s Sri Lanka Hospital (Colombo)
Address: Ninewells Hospital, 398/1 Swarnadisi Place, Kirimandala Mawatha, Colombo 05, Sri Lanka
Ninewells is a specialist Sri Lanka hospital focusing mainly on women’s health, obstetrics and pediatrics. It’s widely known among locals as a go-to choice for private maternity care and neonatal services.
Why it matters for families:
- Dedicated labor rooms, neonatal intensive care units (NICU) and postnatal support.
- Pediatric clinics for vaccinations, growth monitoring and common childhood illnesses.
- A gentler, more family-focused environment than large general hospitals in Sri Lanka.
If you’re expecting a baby in Colombo or traveling with young children and want specialist care, Ninewells is frequently mentioned among the best hospitals in Sri Lanka for women and children.
Top hospitals in Kandy Sri Lanka
Kandy is the key city for the Central Province and a healthcare hub for the hill country. While serious cases are sometimes referred to Colombo, the city’s main public and private sri lanka hospitals can handle most needs—from emergencies to routine specialist visits.
1. Teaching Hospital Kandy – Central Province Anchor of Hospital in Sri Lanka
Address: Teaching Hospital Kandy, William Gopallawa Mawatha, Kandy, Sri Lanka
The Teaching Hospital Kandy (often called National Hospital Kandy) is the second-largest public Sri Lanka hospital and the main tertiary center for the Central Province. It offers emergency services, intensive care and a full range of specialties, including surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics and obstetrics.
Why it’s important:
- Acts as the regional referral point in the public network of hospitals in Sri Lanka.
- Handles major road accidents that occur in the hill country and Cultural Triangle.
- Teaching status means a large medical team under senior specialist supervision.
For travelers exploring Kandy, Sigiriya, Dambulla or the tea estates, this is the main public facility you’re likely to encounter in a serious emergency.
2. Asiri Hospital Kandy – Hill Country Branch of Private Hospitals in Sri Lanka
Address: Asiri Hospital Kandy, No. 680/5A, Peradeniya Road, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Asiri Kandy brings the standards of the Asiri Health group to the hill capital, giving locals and visitors access to a modern private Sri Lanka hospital without having to travel to Colombo.
Strengths:
- Well-equipped for general surgery, internal medicine, orthopedics, obstetrics and routine diagnostics.
- Smaller and quieter than big public sri lanka hospitals, which many patients find less stressful.
- Option to coordinate follow-up with Asiri hospitals in Colombo if further treatment is needed.
If you’re staying around Kandy for several days and want private outpatient care or elective procedures, Asiri Kandy is one of the top choices among hill-country hospitals in Sri Lanka.
3. Suwasevana Hospitals – Trusted Private Sri Lanka Hospital (Kandy)
Address: Suwasevana Hospitals, No. 39A Senanayake Mawatha, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Suwasevana Hospitals is a well-known local private provider and a popular alternative to the large teaching Sri Lanka hospital. It offers 24/7 emergency services, surgical care, maternity services and a broad range of specialist clinics.
Why travelers and expats use it:
- More personal feel, with shorter waiting times and closer contact with consultants.
- Comfortable rooms and a calmer atmosphere, which can make recovery smoother.
- Convenient for those staying near Kandy city center or along the main roads leading into town.
Many long-stay visitors and foreign residents in the area use Suwasevana or Asiri Kandy as their first point of contact, with referrals to Colombo only when absolutely necessary.
How to choose the best hospital in Sri Lanka for your situation
Even with a list of excellent hospitals in Sri Lanka, choosing where to go depends on your condition, budget and location. Here are practical guidelines based on real travel experiences.
Emergency vs planned care
- Life-threatening emergencies (severe accidents, chest pain, stroke symptoms): go to the nearest large Sri Lanka hospital with an emergency department—often a public teaching hospital or a major private facility in Colombo or Kandy.
- Planned procedures or specialist consultations: for non-urgent issues, private sri lanka hospitals generally offer shorter waiting times, more comfort and more predictable scheduling.
Location and access
- In Colombo, consider traffic when choosing among the best hospitals in Sri Lanka. Staying near your chosen facility before and after procedures can save stress.
- In Kandy and hill-country areas, winding roads and weather can slow travel, so factor in extra time to reach Teaching Hospital Kandy or private hospitals like Asiri and Suwasevana.
Insurance and payment
Before traveling:
- Check which private hospitals in Sri Lanka your insurer recognizes for direct billing (Lanka Hospitals, Asiri Health, Durdans and Nawaloka are often on these lists).
- Keep a digital and printed copy of your insurance details.
- For smaller outpatient visits, expect to pay upfront and claim later; always ask for detailed receipts.
Comfort and expectations
- Leading private sri lanka hospitals in Colombo and Kandy offer facilities similar to mid-range international hospitals, with private rooms, air-conditioning and organized outpatient departments.
- Public hospitals can feel crowded and basic, but they are the backbone of emergency care and complex treatment for locals.
If you value privacy and comfort and your budget allows, a private Sri Lanka hospital is usually the better option for anything that’s not an immediate life-threatening emergency.
Practical tips for visiting Sri Lanka hospitals as a foreigner
To make the most of the healthcare options at the best hospitals in Sri Lanka, keep these simple tips in mind:
- Carry your passport (or a copy), hotel address, emergency contact and insurance details.
- Write down your symptoms, current medications and allergies in clear English to avoid misunderstandings.
- Ask for copies of test results and discharge summaries—these will help doctors at your next Sri Lanka hospital or back home understand what has been done.
- After surgery or serious illness, always ask when it is safe to fly or undertake long road journeys.
With some preparation and a basic understanding of how hospitals in Sri Lanka are structured, you can travel more confidently, knowing that quality care is available in both the capital and the hill country whenever you need it.
