Kings Hospital Colombo has marked a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s healthcare sector with the successful completion of 25 adult living- donor liver transplant surgeries, reinforcing its position as a leading local center for advanced transplant care.
Formally launched in early 2025, the hospital’s liver transplant program was established to address a longstanding gap in access to definitive treatment for patients living with chronic end-stage liver disease. For many Sri Lankan patients, liver transplantation has historically required overseas travel at substantial financial and logistical cost, while others were left without timely access due to limited awareness, inadequate referral pathways and the scarcity of specialized local facilities.
Kings Hospital Colombo’s program provides patients with a structured, locally available alternative, enabling them to undergo complex life-saving procedures in Sri Lanka while remaining close to their families. The hospital has invested strategically in advanced infrastructure, specialized medical technology and clinical expertise to support the delivery of a sustainable, high-quality transplant program aligned with international standards.
The program is led by Professor Thamara Perera FRCS (Eng), whose international experience in liver surgery and transplantation has supported the development of a dedicated multidisciplinary team at Kings Hospital Colombo. The hospital’s transplant pathway includes comprehensive donor and recipient assessments, rigorous clinical planning and coordinated perioperative care across surgical, critical care, dialysis and support teams.
A key strength of the program is its dedicated intensive care facility for liver transplant patients, supported by advanced monitoring systems, life-support equipment and real-time clinical data analysing capabilities. Together with the hospital’s dialysis technology, this enables the management of complex pre- and post-transplant cases, including patients with concurrent organ dysfunction, while supporting timely intervention and continuity of care.
Professor Perera noted that many patients are referred only after medical management options have been exhausted, often at a stage when liver failure has begun to affect other vital organs. Early diagnosis, awareness and referral therefore remain central to improving long-term outcomes for patients with chronic liver disease.
Commenting on the milestone, Dr. Shani De Silva, Director Medical Services, Kings Hospital Colombo, said, “With access to the newest medical technology and a team of well- experienced consultants, we are pleased to offer superior liver transplant services to Sri Lankan society, reflecting our commitment to excellence in private healthcare.”
The successful completion of 25 liver transplants represents more than an institutional achievement. It signals meaningful progress in strengthening Sri Lanka’s healthcare capacity, reducing dependence on overseas treatment and offering patients a clinically advanced, family-centered pathway to life- transforming care within their own country.
