1990 Suwaseriya Foundation Act, No. 18 of 2018

The 1990 Suwaseriya Foundation Act, No. 18 of 2018 was certified on 4 July 2018 to establish the 1990 Suwaseriya Foundation as a permanent statutory body for Sri Lanka's free emergency ambulance service. The Act formalized what had been operating since 2016 as a project under GVK EMRI Lanka (Private) Limited, funded by a USD 22.58 million Indian Government grant — the largest Indian grant project in Sri Lanka after the Indian Housing Project.

The Foundation provides free pre-hospital care ambulance services and emergency response services to any person island-wide through 297+ ambulances covering all 9 provinces, staffed by 744 Emergency Medical Technicians and 745 ambulance pilots. The "1990" service is defined as pre-hospital care — broader than just transport, including clinical intervention by trained EMTs during transit.

Source

Full text: 1990 Suwaseriya Foundation Act (PDF — documents.gov.lk) | Sri Lanka Law | Bill as gazetted | 28 sections. No amendments.

Act Structure

The Act has 28 sections organized into 7 functional groups covering establishment, governance, operations, finance, legal status, ministerial powers, and transitional provisions.

Group	Sections	Topic	Summary
Establishment	S.1-5	Foundation creation	Short title, body corporate establishment, objects, powers, property
Board of Management	S.6-15	Governance	Board composition, Chairman, disqualifications, tenure, removal, meetings, remuneration, seal
Executive & Staff	S.16-17	Operations	CEO appointment, staff employment
Finance & Audit	S.18-19	Financial framework	Fund of the Foundation, financial year, audit by Auditor General
Legal Status	S.20-22	Protections	Good faith protection, scheduled institution, public servant status
Ministerial Powers	S.23-25	Policy authority	Minister's directions, annual report, power to make rules
Transitional & Interpretation	S.26-28	Transfer provisions	Savings/transitional (GVK EMRI transfer), interpretation, Sinhala text precedence

Section Detail

Section	Topic	Summary
1	Short title	Short title and date of operation
2	Establishment	Creates the Foundation as a body corporate with perpetual succession and common seal
3	Objects	Provide free pre-hospital care ambulance and emergency response services to any person
4	Powers, functions, duties	Provide ambulances, train personnel, manage property, enter contracts, open bank accounts, receive grants
5	Property	Foundation may acquire and hold movable and immovable property
6	Management	Foundation managed by a Board of Management
7	Board composition	7 members: 4 appointed by President + 3 ex-officio (Health, Finance, Police)
8	Chairman	Appointed by the President from among the 4 appointed members
9	Disqualifications	Grounds for disqualification from Board membership
10	Tenure	3-year term for appointed members; eligible for re-appointment
11	Removal	Procedures for removing appointed members
12	Meetings	At least once per month; quorum of 4; majority vote; Chairman has casting vote
13	Validity	Acts of Board valid despite vacancies in membership
14	Remuneration	Determined by President with Finance Ministry concurrence
15	Seal	Custody and authentication of the common seal
16	CEO	Chief Executive Officer appointed by the Board; responsible for day-to-day management
17	Staff	Board may employ staff as necessary
18	Fund	Fund of the Foundation — receives government grants, donations, and generated income
19	Financial year & audit	Proper books and records; audit by Auditor General under National Audit Act
20	Good faith protection	Protection for action taken in good faith
21	Scheduled institution	Foundation deemed a scheduled institution
22	Public servants	Members, officers, and employees deemed public servants
23	Minister's directions	Minister may give directions on policy; Foundation must comply
24	Annual report	Foundation must submit annual report
25	Rules	Foundation may make rules with Ministerial approval and gazetting
26	Transitional	All assets, ambulances, and staff transferred from GVK EMRI Lanka to the Foundation; Government to reimburse recurrent expenditure
27	Interpretation	Definitions of key terms
28	Sinhala text	Sinhala text prevails in case of inconsistency

Statutory Bodies

1 Legally Active0 Obsolete

▶1990 Suwaseriya FoundationLegally ActiveSections 2-25

Organisation/statutory-body

Board of Management Composition

Under Section 7, the Board comprises 7 members — a mix of Presidential appointees with professional expertise and senior government ex-officio members.

Ex-Officio Members (3)

#	Role	Appointing Authority
1	Secretary to the Ministry of Health (or representative)	Ex-officio (S.7)
2	Secretary to the Ministry of Finance (or representative)	Ex-officio (S.7)
3	Inspector General of Police (or representative)	Ex-officio (S.7)

Appointed Members (4)

Under S.7, the President appoints 4 persons with academic or professional qualifications and experience in medical science, pharmaceuticals, medical technology, finance, management, administration, or law.

The Chairman is appointed by the President from among these 4 appointed members (S.8).

Current Board and Leadership (as of 2025)

Name	Role
Mr. Niroshan Ratnayake	Chairman
Mr. Shervin Arsakularatne	Appointed Director
Dr. Aruna Palitha Sampath	Appointed Director
Mr. Nalin R Perera	Appointed Director
DIG Mr. Indika Hapugoda	Ex-Officio Director (IGP Representative)
Mr. Sohan de Silva	Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Srilal De Silva	Chief Medical Officer

Presidential Appointments

Unlike most health-sector statutory bodies where the Minister appoints board members, the Suwaseriya Foundation Board is appointed by the President of Sri Lanka directly. The Minister's role is limited to policy directions (S.23) and approving rules (S.25). This may reflect the Foundation's origin as a high-profile national project championed at the highest levels of government.

Objects of the Foundation (Section 3)

The Foundation's statutory objects are focused and specific:

1. To provide pre-hospital care ambulance services and emergency response services free of charge to any person
2. To provide immediate and effective pre-hospital care free of charge in a safe and clinical working environment until a person reaches the nearest healthcare provider

What is "Pre-Hospital Care"?

The Act defines the "1990" service as pre-hospital care — broader than ambulance transport. It includes clinical intervention by trained Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) during transit, following American-standard protocols covering Basic Life Support (BLS) with AED, Intermediate Life Support, and emergency clinical procedures.

Fund of the Foundation (Section 18)

Source	Details
Government appropriations	From the Consolidated Fund (treasury allocations)
Grants, gifts, donations	Including the "Adopt an Ambulance" CSR program
Generated income	From Foundation operations and investments
Other lawful money	Any other money lawfully received

Financial Reality

Metric	Amount
Annual budget requirement	Rs. 3.9 billion
Typical government allocation	Rs. 2.5 billion
Funding shortfall	Rs. 1.5 billion
Cost per ambulance per year	Rs. 5 million
Adopt an Ambulance funds raised	Rs. 750 million (since March 2023)

Funding Gap

Section 26(c) stipulates that recurrent expenditure should be reimbursed by the Government. However, the 2022 economic crisis created a Rs. 1.5 billion annual shortfall, leading to the "Adopt an Ambulance" campaign — a 100% tax-deductible corporate sponsorship program where businesses fund individual ambulances at Rs. 5 million/year.

Transitional Provisions (Section 26)

The most operationally significant part of the Act governs the transition from GVK EMRI Lanka:

Aspect	Provision
Property	All movable and immovable property of GVK EMRI Lanka vests with the Foundation
Ambulances	All 297 ambulances and medical equipment purchased under the Indian grant transferred
Staff	All employees of GVK EMRI Lanka transferred with employment continuity preserved
Government reimbursement	S.26(c): Recurrent expenditure should be reimbursed by the Government
Agreement	Based on the agreement between Ministry of Health and GVK EMRI Lanka signed 24 April 2018

Operational Statistics

Metric	Value
Fleet	297+ ambulances (expanding to 450+ target)
Personnel	1,390+ (744 EMTs + 745 pilots + admin)
Coverage	All 9 provinces, stationed at police stations
Daily calls	~5,300
Daily cases	~1,050
Call answer rate	98.9% on first ring
Average response time	11.5-12 minutes
Total patients (by Oct 2024)	2 million+
Daily distance covered	25,000 km
Rural calls	63% of all calls
COVID-19 patients transported	175,000
Hotline	1990 (toll-free, all networks)

Indian Grant Partnership

Phase	Grant Amount	Ambulances	Coverage
Phase 1 (2016)	USD 7.56 million	88	Western & Southern Provinces
Phase 2 (2017-2018)	USD 15.02 million	209	Remaining 7 Provinces
Total	USD 22.58 million	297	All 9 Provinces

Amendment Timeline

2015

Emergency ambulance service proposed

Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva proposes a modern emergency medical system to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, modelled on India's GVK EMRI system.

2016

Indian Government grant and GVK EMRI partnership

Government of India provides a grant of USD 7.56 million for Phase 1. GVK Emergency Management and Research Institute (GVK EMRI) of India selected as the operating partner. First EMT candidates trained in Hyderabad.

2016

First ambulance launched in Hambantota

On 27 July 2016, the first 1990 ambulance was launched in Hambantota (Southern Province). Service began in Western and Southern Provinces with 88 ambulances.

2017

Island-wide expansion announced

Indian PM Narendra Modi announces island-wide expansion during his Sri Lanka visit. Additional Indian grant of USD 15.02 million for 209 more ambulances and expansion to all 9 provinces. Total Indian grant: USD 22.58 million — the largest Indian grant project in Sri Lanka after the Indian Housing Project.

2018

1990 Suwaseriya Foundation Act enacted

Act No. 18 of 2018, certified on 4 July 2018. Establishes the Foundation as a body corporate with 7-member Board. 28 sections. Transitional provisions (S.26) transfer all assets, ambulances, and staff from GVK EMRI Lanka (Private) Limited to the new statutory body.

2019

Full island-wide coverage achieved

Expansion completed to all 9 provinces by early 2019 with 297 ambulances stationed at police stations nationwide. Easter bombings emergency response demonstrated the service's capability.

2020

COVID-19 pandemic frontline response

The Foundation played a critical frontline role during COVID-19, transporting 175,000 COVID patients. Daily calls surged from 5,000 to up to 20,000 during peak waves. EMTs received comprehensive PPE training.

2022

Economic crisis impacts funding

Sri Lanka's economic crisis severely impacts Foundation funding. Government unable to fully fund the Rs. 3.9 billion annual budget, creating a Rs. 1.5 billion shortfall.

2023

Adopt an Ambulance campaign launched

In March 2023, the 'Adopt an Ambulance' campaign was launched to address the funding shortfall. Cost: Rs. 5 million per ambulance per year (100% tax-deductible). Corporate sector raised Rs. 750 million through the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

2024

2 million patient milestone

In October 2024, the Foundation reached the milestone of 2 million patients transported since inception. Tata Sons committed 50 additional ambulances; ADB committed 45.

2025

Fleet expansion and rebranding

New government announces plans for 150 new ambulances (target fleet of 450+). In October 2025, service rebranded to '1990 Sri Lanka Emergency Medical Service' — raising legal questions as the statutory name remains unchanged. Ten-year strategic plan developed.

No Amendments

The Act has not been amended since enactment in 2018. The Foundation's operations are influenced by:

• National Audit Act, No. 19 of 2018 — Auditor General oversight
• Cabinet decisions — funding level adjustments, encouraging alternative revenue sources
• Gazette notifications — portfolio reassignments between ministries
• October 2025 rebranding — renamed to "1990 Sri Lanka Emergency Medical Service" (legal authority unclear)

Entity Relationships & Governance

Governance Hierarchy (1952 Design)

Level 1: President of Sri LankaActiveNational

Appointing authority: appoints 4 Board members and the Chairman (S.7, S.8); determines Board remuneration with Finance Ministry concurrence (S.14)

Level 2: Minister of HealthActiveNational

Policy authority: gives directions on Foundation policy (S.23); approves rules made by the Foundation (S.25)

Level 3: Board of ManagementActiveNational

Governing body (S.6-7): 7 members (4 Presidential appointees + 3 ex-officio); manages the Foundation, appoints CEO and staff, maintains Fund; meets at least monthly with quorum of 4 (S.12)

Level 4: Chief Executive OfficerActiveOperational

Executive head (S.16): appointed by the Board; responsible for day-to-day management and operations of the Foundation

Level 5: Staff (EMTs, Pilots, Admin)ObsoleteOperational

Employees (S.17): appointed by the Board; deemed public servants (S.22); includes 744 EMTs, 745 pilots, and administrative staff across all 9 provinces

Current Replacement Structure (Post-1989)

Level 1: NationalNational

President appoints Board; Minister of Health exercises policy authority; Foundation operates as an autonomous body corporate providing island-wide pre-hospital emergency care

Level 2: ProvincialProvincial

Not applicable — Foundation operates nationally with ambulances deployed across all 9 provinces

Level 3: RegionalRegional

Not applicable

Level 4: LocalLocal

Ambulances stationed at 297 police stations; coordinated with 119 Police emergency services

Data Confidence

Legislative Framework

high

Historical Details

high

Current Operational Status

high

Coordination with Emergency Services

The Foundation coordinates with several agencies:

• 119 Police Emergency Services — ambulances stationed at police stations; police assist with road traffic incidents
• Ministry of Health hospitals — patients delivered to the nearest appropriate healthcare provider
• Sri Lanka Society of Critical Care and Emergency Medicine — on-call doctors provide guidance to EMTs
• Emergency Command & Control Center — GPS-enabled dispatch using algorithm-based routing (fastest arrival, not nearest ambulance)

Technology & Innovation

Technology	Description
GPS dispatch	Algorithm-based routing using Google traffic data for fastest arrival
Real-time tracking	Emergency Management System monitors ambulance movements, response metrics, medicine inventory
Multi-lingual app	Sinhala, English, Tamil — includes offline calling capability
Connected Ambulance (pilot)	AI and mixed reality for real-time physician guidance during transport
48-hour follow-up	Post-emergency follow-up for transported patients

Research Gaps

• Whether any rules have been gazetted under Section 25 is unknown
• Full Board membership not completely published (only 5 of 7 listed on website)
• The legal status of the October 2025 rebranding to "1990 Sri Lanka Emergency Medical Service" is unclear
• Whether the Foundation has formal clinical protocols gazetted or operates under internal guidelines is unknown
• Board meeting minutes and records not publicly accessible
• Detailed breakdown of Fund expenditure beyond Auditor General reports not publicly documented
• The relationship between the Foundation and the original GVK EMRI Lanka company post-transfer is not documented
• Whether the Act's requirement for Government reimbursement of recurrent expenditure (S.26(c)) has been consistently met is unclear from public records