What is the standard of medical facilities in Sri Lanka?

Okay, regarding healthcare in Sri Lanka, I'll give you a clear overview so you have an intuitive understanding. Just imagine it as two completely different worlds.

In short: Private hospitals in major cities are quite good, but public hospitals and healthcare conditions in remote areas are relatively concerning. For us tourists, the key is knowing where to go.

Specifically, it's like this:

1. Private Hospitals

These are the first choice for tourists and wealthy locals, and where you should go if you ever need medical attention.

What's the standard like? In major cities like Colombo and Kandy, good private hospitals are of a high standard. The facilities, environment, and service are comparable to private or international hospitals in first-tier cities back home. Many doctors have overseas study or work experience, and English communication is absolutely no problem.
What's the experience like? Clean, less crowded, and efficient. From registration and consultation to getting medicine, the entire process is smooth, without long queues in crowded places. The service attitude is also very good.
What about the cost? Of course, it's expensive. For locals, it's exorbitant, but for us, compared to Europe and America, it's still significantly cheaper. It might be slightly more expensive or on par with private hospitals in China. Therefore, travel insurance is a must! I'll emphasize this again later.
Where to go? There are several well-known ones in Colombo, such as Nawaloka Hospital, Asiri Hospital, and Lanka Hospitals. Just tell any driver you want to go to the best private hospital, and they'll know.

2. Public Hospitals

These embody Sri Lanka's universal free healthcare, primarily serving the local general public.

What's the standard like? Facilities are generally older, somewhat like our county hospitals decades ago. Beds are tight, medical resources are scarce, and sometimes even medicines might not be fully stocked. However, many good doctors also work in public hospitals (they might work in public hospitals in the morning and "moonlight" in private ones in the afternoon), so the doctors' skills aren't necessarily poor.
What's the experience like? Overcrowded, extremely long waiting times, and a relatively noisy environment. As a tourist, with language barriers and unfamiliar surroundings, the experience of going to a public hospital would be very poor.
What about the cost? It's free for locals, but foreigners might be charged. Even with charges, it's much cheaper than private hospitals. However, the money saved comes at the cost of your time and experience, which is very much not worth it.

Practical Advice for Travelers:

Don't panic over minor ailments: If it's just a common cold, diarrhea, or mosquito bites, you can go directly to a pharmacy. The pharmacists there are very professional, can give you over-the-counter medicines, and most of them speak English. It's very convenient to buy things like stomach medicine, painkillers, or mosquito repellent.
In an emergency, head straight to a private hospital: If you encounter a slightly more serious problem, such as food poisoning with vomiting and diarrhea, accidental injury requiring stitches, or a sudden high fever that won't subside, don't hesitate and don't try to save money. Take a taxi directly to a private hospital in the nearest major city. This is the fastest and most reliable solution.
The most important thing, said three times: Buy insurance! Buy insurance! Buy insurance! Before you leave, make sure to buy reliable overseas travel insurance, and ensure it includes medical evacuation and direct payment features. This way, if something serious happens, not only will medical expenses be covered, but the insurance company can also coordinate your transfer to a better hospital or even repatriation. Remember to keep all receipts for reimbursement upon your return.
Bring your own common medications: If you have chronic conditions (high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.) or specific allergies, be sure to bring enough of your own medication. Additionally, for things like cold medicine, stomach medicine, band-aids, and motion sickness pills, bring your own first-aid kit; it will be the most convenient to use.

To summarize:

When traveling to Sri Lanka, you don't need to worry too much about healthcare. As long as you have insurance and know that if you get sick, you should head straight to a private hospital in a major city, your safety is sufficiently guaranteed. For general minor ailments, local pharmacies can handle it. As long as you avoid the "crowded world" of public hospitals, your medical experience won't be bad. Enjoy your trip!