Health Minister Ramesh Pathirana has announced plans to increase the retirement age of nursing staff and various healthcare service personnel to 61 years.

The proposal, awaiting approval from the Cabinet of Ministers, aims to address concerns raised by MP Gamini Waleboda regarding challenges faced by nursing staff within the healthcare sector.

Minister Pathirana clarified that although requests were made to extend the retirement age beyond 61 years, no such extension would be granted.

A Cabinet paper has been submitted outlining the proposed change. In tandem with this initiative, efforts are underway to recruit 3,000 new nurses, filling existing vacancies totaling 1,000.