History
The history of professional nursing in Sri Lanka spans nearly one and a half centuries, evolving from colonial-era training programmes into today's nationally organised profession supported by both a professional association (SLNA) and a statutory regulatory council.
- 1878: The first Nightingale-trained British nurses arrive in colonial Ceylon to establish formal nurse training in island hospitals, introducing what was then called "scientific nursing"
- 1928: The Ceylon Medical Ordinance is amended to formally recognise nurses' professional representation, providing for elected representatives on the advisory board governing medical, dental, and nursing practice
- 1943: Founded as the "Sri Lanka Trained Nurses Association" under the motto "Unity for Quality," by Ms. L. M. de Silva, an English Ward Sister who became the Association's first President, together with first Secretary Ms. L. S. Jayasinghe — established to advance the nursing profession in Sri Lanka and draw public attention to nursing service
- 1949: The Ceylon Medical Ordinance No. 10 of 1949 provides for the registration of nurses under the Ceylon Medical Council
- 1949: Renamed the "Ceylon Nurses Association" and admitted to partial membership of the International Council of Nurses (ICN)
- 1953: Achieves fully pledged membership of the International Council of Nurses (ICN)
- 1960s: Renamed the "Sri Lanka Nurses Association," the name it carries today
- 1973: Becomes a member of the Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Federation
- 1988: The Sri Lanka Nursing Council is established as an independent statutory body by Act No. 19 of 1988, taking over responsibility for nurse registration, education standards, and professional discipline from the Medical Council
- 2005: The Sri Lanka Nursing Council Act is amended by Act No. 35 of 2005, updating the Council's structure and powers
- Present day: SLNA continues as a full member of the International Council of Nurses (ICN), representing Sri Lankan nurses within a global federation of over 140 national nursing associations
Two Distinct Institutions
It's worth understanding the difference between SLNA and the Sri Lanka Nursing Council, since both play important but separate roles. SLNA, founded in 1943, is a professional association — its work centres on advocacy, continuous professional development, and representing nurses collectively. The Sri Lanka Nursing Council, established later in 1988, is the statutory regulatory body responsible for maintaining the official register of qualified nurses, setting curriculum standards, and handling professional discipline. Before 1988, nurse registration fell under the Ceylon Medical Council per the Medical Ordinance No. 10 of 1949.
Major Contributions
Over the decades, SLNA's advocacy has directly shaped the nursing profession in Sri Lanka. Among its major contributions, the Association has been instrumental in:
- Commencing the registration of Registered Nurses (RNs) under the Ceylon Medical Council
- Establishing the administrative position of Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) at the Ministry of Health
- Introducing Post Basic Education for nurses to qualify as Ward Sisters and Tutor Sisters
- Securing maternity leave entitlements for nurses
- Making nursing a pensionable public service
- Securing university education pathways for nurses at conventional universities
- Establishing the SLNA library
Most Remarkable Contributions
Starting in the 1960s, SLNA was the organisation that first requested a separate Nursing Council from the Ministry of Health and initiated the advocacy that eventually led to the establishment of the Sri Lanka Nursing Council. Ms. Esmi de Silva of the Sri Lanka Nurses' Association went on to write the first draft of the Sri Lanka Nursing Council Act.