Diseases like heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes are the major causes of death due to non-communicable diseases in Sri Lanka, causing around 120,000 deaths every year.

Tobacco use, unhealthy alcohol consumption, obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high blood cholesterol have been identified as the main contributing factors to these diseases.

The first national policy for prevention of non-communicable diseases was published in 2009 and the new revised policy has been drafted in consultation with all relevant parties by evaluating and reviewing the policy published in 2009.

The revised National Policy and Strategic Framework for the Prevention and Control of Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases in Sri Lanka has been prepared accordingly and cabinet approval has been granted to publish the revised strategic framework and national policy in the Government Gazette and to implement it.