Nearly 280 medical officers have requested no-pay leave to travel overseas during 2026, Deputy Health Minister Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni informed Parliament.
Responding to a question raised by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dayasiri Jayasekara, the Deputy Minister said 280 applications for foreign no-pay leave had been received so far this year.
He also revealed that, as of June 19, 2026, a total of 1,429 medical officers and 140 specialist medical officers were abroad on no-pay leave, based on records covering the period from 2020.
Dr. Wijemuni further stated that 3,791 medical officers had migrated between 2020 and 2025.
According to the Deputy Minister, most of those who left the country had done so to pursue postgraduate studies overseas.
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