An analysis of Sri Lankan government policies for prevention and control of non-communicable diseases and its risk factors

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading causes of mortality, morbidity, and disability in Sri Lanka. The Government of Sri Lanka is committed to address the NCD burden of the country. This report presents an analysis of the Sri Lankan government policies of health sector as well as all other related sectors in relation to prevention and control of NCD and its risk factors in the country. Collection of policies and selection, the relevant policies to be included in the analysis were based on a systematic approach and the analysis was based on a framework which included aspects of prevention and control of NCD/NCD risk factors that are supported by the policy; and the main policy directives/strategies proposed. The selected policies were also mapped against the four strategic areas of the multisectoral action plan for the prevention and control of NCD of Sri Lanka. The analysis showed that a great majority of health and non-health policies have explicitly specified its support to the relevant areas of NCD or NCD risk factor prevention or control. The main aspects that were not explicitly specified by the health sector policies were prevention and control of psychological stress, obtaining the support of media in inculcating healthy lifestyles and targeted interventions to the marginalized or vulnerable population groups and people with special needs. Almost all the policy documents analyzed were well aligned with the four strategic action areas of the National Multisectoral Action Plan for the prevention and control of NCD 2016–2020. The Government of Sri Lanka has adequate health and non-health policy support to prevent and control NCD and NCD risk factors.