Sri Lanka to Launch First Medical Cyclotron Facility to Revolutionize Cancer Care.
Sri Lanka to Launch First Medical Cyclotron Facility to Revolutionize Cancer Care.
Sri Lanka is set to achieve a historic milestone in its healthcare sector with the ceremonial opening of the nation’s first Cyclotron-Based Radiopharmaceutical Manufacturing Facility. The grand opening will take place on Monday, 16th February 2026, starting at 9:30 am at Maligagodella Watta, Aluthapola, Negombo. The facility will be officially inaugurated by the Hon. Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, and the Hon. Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Chrishantha Abeysena, marking a significant step toward medical self-sufficiency.
This landmark national initiative is a collaborative effort between Access Medical Tracers (Pvt) Ltd., the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board (SLAEB), and the Ministry of Health. The project was established through a 6.5 million USD joint venture following a “Build, Own, and Operate” (BOO) model, with 80% private sector investment and 10% each from the SLAEB and the Ministry of Health. The facility also received vital technical assistance and equipment from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The establishment of this facility addresses a critical gap in the country’s diagnostic capabilities. Historically, Sri Lanka has relied on importing 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) from India, a process so inefficient that 97% of the product’s value was lost to radioactive decay during transit. This logistical challenge limited PET/CT scans to just 1,500 patients annually, despite a national demand for 35,000. With cancer cases in Sri Lanka projected to rise by 23% annually through 2030, local production has become an urgent necessity.
Once operational, the new facility is expected to drastically improve access to life-saving diagnostics while reducing costs. The price of a 10mCi dose of FDG is projected to fall from the current import price of $320 to $245. Beyond immediate production, the project ensures long-term sustainability through a dedicated radiopharmaceutical laboratory and a 2.2% R&D contribution from private sector sales to the SLAEB. With a commercial launch targeted for May 2026, this facility promises to enhance life expectancy and transform the landscape of cancer diagnosis in Sri Lanka.