Sri Lanka to produce insulin locally following completion of Rs. 3bn Galle factory

Sri Lanka will begin domestic production of insulin for the first time following the completion of a Rs. 3 billion manufacturing facility in Galle.

Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced the project timeline on 17 October during an official inspection of the site at the Koggala Export Processing Zone.

Operated by Premium International Injectable Private Limited in a joint venture with the State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation, the factory is slated to start operations in 2027 once final validation procedures conclude.

Expanding local production and reducing imports

The state has entered into a 15-year pharmaceutical supply agreement with the company to secure domestic distribution.

While initial manufacturing will focus on insulin, anaesthetic drugs, and pain relief medication, operations are planned to scale up to thirty-three distinct pharmaceutical products.

The Health Minister stated that Sri Lanka currently relies on foreign imports for eighty-five to ninety per cent of its hospital drug supply, with local production accounting for just ten to fifteen per cent.

He noted that public healthcare facilities have secured ninety-six per cent of their required drug supplies, though procurement bottlenecks persist for thirty-seven types of medicine owing to vendor shortages.

Dr. Jayatissa highlighted that strengthening domestic drug manufacturing over the next decade will serve as a primary policy objective to curb import dependence.

Export opportunities

Boosting local production capacity is expected to conserve vital foreign currency reserves while creating new revenue streams through international trade.

The operating company confirmed plans to export surplus pharmaceuticals once local market demand is fully met.

Government authorities are holding bilateral discussions to export state manufactured medicines to the Maldives through the State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation.

International supply requests have also been submitted by several other nations, including Timor-Leste.