The Association of Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes (APHNH) successfully concluded its 1st Healthcare Leadership Summit 2026 on 9 March 2026 at Waters Edge, Colombo, bringing together hospital leaders, policymakers, regulators, insurers, investors, and international experts to discuss practical, implementable priorities for Sri Lanka’s healthcare sector.
The APHNH, established in 1972, is the recognised representative body for private hospitals and nursing homes registered under the Private Hospitals category with the Private Health Services Regulatory Council (PHSRC), the sector’s regulatory authority. Representing leading private healthcare providers across the country, the association plays a supportive role in Sri Lanka’s overall healthcare system by helping expand access, easing pressure on public hospitals, and strengthening continuity of care for patients. Through ongoing engagement with the Ministry of Health and the PHSRC, APHNH contributes to quality and safety standards, supports workforce development and professional training, and promotes collaboration and best practices across the private sector, aligned with national health priorities.
Commenting on the Summit, Raveen Wickremesinghe, President of APHNH, said, “Our objective was to bring the right decision-makers into one room and focus on what can be implemented, not only what can be discussed. We are committed to taking the inputs from today and converting them into a clear, trackable set of actions that strengthens quality, transparency and public confidence, while supporting national health priorities.”
The programme was structured around two sessions, “Inside Healthcare Leadership: What Really Works” and “Building the Future of Private Healthcare in Sri Lanka.”
The first session featured insights from Dr. Hafeez Rahman Padiyath (global clinician and hospital builder), Dr. Hamdani Anver (health administration, operations and COVID leadership), and Chandana L. Aluthgama (insurance perspective), examining how hospitals can scale without compromising quality, strengthen operational discipline, maintain patient safety under pressure, and respond to emerging insurer expectations and risk considerations.
The second session focused on future opportunity and reform pathways, including a keynote and fireside discussion led by Dr. Paiboon Eksangsri, President of the Private Hospital Association of Thailand, alongside Dr. Lakith Peiris and Raveen Wickremesinghe.
The session explored lessons from Thailand’s private healthcare development, the role of private hospitals in supporting national systems during periods of strain, the importance of trust-building between the State, providers and the public, and the conditions needed to make Sri Lanka more competitive for healthcare investment and innovation.
Sharing reflections from the Summit, Dr. Paiboon Eksangsri said, ““It was a great honor to participate in this event in Sri Lanka. I look forward to meaningful discussions, cultural exchange, and building strong collaborations that will create lasting impact.”
A key outcome of the Summit is APHNH’s plan to consolidate the recommendations into a single, trackable outcome document or charter, outlining defined actions, responsibilities, timelines, and periodic progress updates.
APHNH also reiterated the need to strengthen data discipline within the private sector through consistent transparency practices, clearer patient communication standards, and structured approaches to service quality monitoring, aligned with national priorities.
The Summit was held as an invitation-only engagement, reflecting APHNH’s intent to convene stakeholders with a direct role in shaping the future of healthcare delivery in Sri Lanka.
