Genetics and genomic medicine in Sri Lanka

The completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003 heralded in a new era marked by remarkable advances in biomedical research leading to the establishment of genomics‐based translational medicine mainly in the developed world. However, the development of such advances has been hampered in most parts of the developing world due to scarcity of resources and trained personnel. Genetics and genomic medicine are currently in the process of being integrated into the Sri Lankan health care system. These developments have taken place mainly due to the heightened awareness and increasing demands made by the public for provision of genetic diagnostic and therapeutic services in clinical care. Due to the exorbitant costs incurred in the maintenance of these services and the dearth of adequately trained manpower, only a few centers in the country, mainly in Universities or private sector, are currently engaged in providing these services to the public. This article aims to provide an overview of the genetics and genomic medicine services in Sri Lanka from its early developments to the current state.