Financing Common Goods for Health: Sri Lanka

Health care is considered a basic human right in Sri Lanka, and, reflecting this priority, the government dedicates government tax revenues to ensure equitable access to all people in the country, regardless of whether they are a citizen. In particular, Sri Lanka has recognized the inherent market failures associated with financing health promotion and prevention related services, and has therefore prioritized investments in those areas. In building off of the conceptual foundation and definition of common goods for health (CGH), this commentary provides an in-depth look at the successes and challenges in the financing and provision of CGH in Sri Lanka. This reflection is particularly timely given the country’s current plans to transform primary health care to meet the growing demands placed on the system by non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and emerging and re-emerging diseases.