About SLNA
The Sri Lanka Nurses' Association (SLNA) is the national professional association representing nurses in Sri Lanka. Founded in 1943 under the motto “Unity for Quality,” the Association brings nurses together to advance professional excellence, strengthen the nursing voice, and support high-quality healthcare for the people of Sri Lanka.
SLNA builds on a long tradition of organised nursing in the country. Its institutional roots can be traced to nursing associations recognised under the Ceylon Medical Ordinance in 1928, while the wider history of formal nurse training in Sri Lanka dates back to the nineteenth century.
- National professional association for nurses in Sri Lanka since 1943.
- Guided by the motto “Unity for Quality.”
- Builds on the country’s long tradition of organised nursing and professional nurse education.
- Represents Sri Lanka within the International Council of Nurses (ICN).
- Represents Sri Lanka within the Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Federation (CNMF).
- Collaborates with other local organisations, including national women's federations, the Sri Lanka Medical Association, and other professional bodies.
- Promotes professional development, nursing leadership, advocacy, research, welfare, and ethical practice.
- Works constructively with health-sector stakeholders in the interests of nurses, patients, and communities.
Why a Professional Organization?
A dedicated professional body is essential to the nursing profession — it gives nurses a collective structure through which to raise standards, speak with one voice, and serve the public they care for.
Develop Standards
To develop standards for nursing practice.
Enhance Professional Status
To enhance the professional status of nurses.
Deliver Quality Service
To deliver quality service to the public.
Protect Professionals
To protect nursing professionals.
Develop Ethics
To develop and uphold professional ethics.
Advise Government
To advise the government on nursing matters.
Our Role as a Professional Association
SLNA is a professional association rather than a statutory regulatory authority. The Association focuses on advocacy, continuing professional development, research promotion, professional leadership, and representing the collective voice of nurses to government institutions, healthcare providers, educational bodies, and the public.
Statutory registration, professional regulation, disciplinary matters, and the official register of nurses are administered separately by the Sri Lanka Nurses Council. The Council was established under the Sri Lanka Nurses Council Act, No. 19 of 1988, later amended by Act No. 35 of 2005. This distinction helps SLNA focus on professional advancement, member welfare, and advocacy for the nursing profession.
International connection: Through SLNA’s relationship with the International Council of Nurses (ICN), Sri Lankan nurses are connected to a worldwide network of national nursing associations. This connection supports the exchange of knowledge, professional solidarity, leadership development, and a stronger voice for nursing at national and international levels.
Objectives of the Association
The following objectives are drawn from the Constitution of the Sri Lanka Nurses' Association. They guide the Association’s professional, educational, welfare, advocacy, and international engagement activities.
- To develop nursing services in Sri Lanka in accordance with the health needs of the people.
- To enhance the public image and recognition of the nursing service among the people of Sri Lanka.
- To promote and advance professional education among nursing officers.
- To foster high standards of ethical conduct and professional behaviour among nursing officers.
- To strengthen relationships between the nursing service in Sri Lanka and international nursing services and organisations.
- To develop and promote standards for nursing services and nursing education.
- To work towards improving the social and economic status of nursing officers.
- To protect and promote the professional status and rights of nursing officers.
What SLNA Does
SLNA contributes to the development of nursing through professional dialogue, education, advocacy, research awareness, leadership development, and engagement with relevant stakeholders. The Association also promotes safe, ethical, evidence-informed nursing practice and works to raise the profile of nursing in Sri Lankan society.
- Educational programmes for nurses' competency development
- Contributing to activities that improve standards of nursing practice
- Seminars on contemporary issues related to nursing
- Networking with other professional associations and women's organisations
- Voicing national nursing issues in international forums
- Advising and engaging with the Government on issues and challenges faced by nurses
- Community services that enhance the public image of nursing
- Supporting nurses' professional development
By bringing nurses together, SLNA seeks to support a confident, respected, and future-ready nursing profession—one that is equipped to meet changing health needs while upholding compassion, competence, and professional integrity.
Did you know? Organised nursing in Sri Lanka has a long history. Formal nursing development dates back to 1878, when the first Nightingale-trained British nurses arrived in colonial Ceylon to help establish early nurse-training programmes. SLNA continues to build on this professional heritage today.