Link to article on The Morning website: Mental health: Significant gap in addiction care | The Morning
An article was published on The Morning on February 04th, 2026, featuring an interview with Dr Shamil Wanigaratne to discuss the gap in addiction care in Sri Lanka.
The interview addressed the following:
- Sri Lanka’s mental health situation and the level of services provided
- The severity of the issue of addiction in Sri Lanka, and what gaps exist in the country’s ability to respond to it
- Whether the current services are adequate to protect the mental well-being of older people, and what improvements are needed
- How stigma affect people’s seeking help for mental health and addiction problems in Sri Lanka
- The role of mental health in the suicides in Sri Lanka
- Whether assisted suicide and DNR should be provided in Sri Lanka
- How to address GBV and scams, which affect the youth and elderly
- The impact of internet & gaming addiction on young people, and the need for building awareness through Sri Lankan media sources
- Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation facilities in Sri Lanka
- Psychological services in Sri Lanka, and the importance of regulation of the professionals.
- How to address the dwindling number of psychiatrists in Sri Lanka.
