• Risky sexual experimentation continues

The Family Health Bureau (FHB) has said that while positive trends such as the lowering of teen pregnancy are reported, on the other hand, the instances where the youth are going for risky experimental sexual behaviours are not seen to have reduced.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, Consultant Community Physician at the FHB, Dr  Chiranthika Vithana said that due to the fact that an increase is seen in taking part in consultancy and awareness programmes, the teen pregnancy rate has gone down. “In Sri Lanka, it is the pregnancies in those that are under 20 years of age that we consider as teenage pregnancies. We have identified the houses that these age groups live in, and we conduct programmes for them to offer knowledge about sexual and reproductive health (SRH). For those who are living together, we spread awareness about preventing pregnancy. Back then, even after pregnancy, there was a hesitancy to come to doctors. Now, there is a positive trend that they come before the delivery to doctors, which reduces the risk at delivery. We have introduced a SRH package for them also to encourage having this knowledge. Through the Medical Officer of Health Officers in the areas, this education is being done,” she added. 

According to the census reports, while the teen pregnancy rate had hit 3.7 per cent of overall pregnancies in 2024, this has reduced to 3.6 per cent in 2025.