Unmask Diabetes 2025 took centre stage in Colombo as Sunshine Holdings PLC rolled out a large-scale public health initiative to mark World Diabetes Day. The programme combined free screenings with expert guidance, reinforcing the importance of early detection and preventive care.
Unmask Diabetes 2025 expands free diabetes screening across Colombo
Sunshine Holdings PLC marked World Diabetes Day with a citywide community health programme aimed at addressing one of Sri Lanka’s fastest-growing non-communicable diseases. Implemented through the Sunshine Foundation for Good, the initiative, branded Unmask Diabetes 2025, delivered free diabetes screenings and awareness activities across Colombo, reinforcing the role of early detection in long-term disease management.
The two-day programme was conducted on 14 and 15 November across 10 Healthguard outlets in Colombo, transforming everyday retail health spaces into accessible screening and consultation points. By situating services in familiar, high-footfall locations, the organisers sought to remove common barriers to preventive healthcare, including time constraints, cost concerns, and limited access to professional advice.
Unmask Diabetes 2025 was delivered under the Foundation’s Suwa Diviya initiative, which focuses on preventive healthcare and community wellbeing. Volunteers, doctors, and nutritionists worked together with operational support from Healthguard to provide a seamless experience for participants. This collaboration enabled members of the public to receive essential screenings alongside credible, medically sound advice on diabetes prevention and management.
Across the 10 outlets, nearly 900 individuals were reached over the two days. Participants included office workers, young adults, senior citizens, and other members of the general public, reflecting the broad demographic impact of diabetes risk in Sri Lanka. Free blood sugar and blood pressure screenings formed the core of the programme, complemented by one-on-one consultations with healthcare professionals.
Medical teams offered personalised guidance tailored to individual screening results and lifestyle factors. Discussions covered nutrition choices, physical activity, weight management, and the early warning signs of diabetes and related complications. For many participants, the opportunity to consult directly with doctors and nutritionists helped clarify misconceptions and highlighted practical steps that could be taken immediately to reduce risk.
Speaking on the initiative, Sunshine Holdings Group CEO Shyam Sathasivam emphasised the urgency of sustained public engagement on diabetes. He noted that diabetes remains one of the country’s most significant and rapidly growing health challenges, with effective management relying heavily on awareness and early diagnosis. According to him, Unmask Diabetes 2025 was designed to take preventive healthcare directly into communities, making screening convenient while empowering individuals with reliable guidance they can trust.
The response across all Healthguard locations underscored strong public demand for community-based health interventions. Many participants expressed appreciation for the accessibility of the services, the professionalism of the medical teams, and the opportunity to better understand their personal health status. For individuals who may not regularly undergo health checks, the initiative served as an important first step toward more proactive health management.
From a broader perspective, initiatives such as Unmask Diabetes 2025 play a critical role in supporting national health objectives. Diabetes and other non-communicable diseases place increasing pressure on healthcare systems and household finances. Early detection and lifestyle intervention can significantly reduce long-term complications, hospitalisation rates, and treatment costs, benefiting both individuals and the wider economy.
The programme also reflects Sunshine Foundation for Good’s wider corporate social responsibility agenda, which operates under two key pillars: education and healthcare. Within this framework, Suwa Diviya serves as the dedicated healthcare pillar, focusing on preventive care, awareness building, and sustained community engagement. By embedding health initiatives into everyday environments, the Foundation aims to create lasting behavioural change rather than one-off interventions.
Healthguard’s involvement was instrumental in the programme’s reach and execution. As a well-established retail pharmacy network, Healthguard outlets provided trusted and convenient access points for the public. This partnership model demonstrates how private sector collaboration can amplify the impact of public health initiatives, particularly in urban settings where lifestyle-related health risks are prevalent.
As Sri Lanka continues to grapple with rising rates of diabetes, programmes that prioritise prevention and education are increasingly vital. While clinical treatment remains essential, experts widely agree that long-term progress depends on empowering individuals to recognise risks early and adopt healthier habits. Community-focused initiatives help bridge the gap between awareness campaigns and real-world action.
Unmask Diabetes 2025 illustrates how corporate leadership, healthcare expertise, and community access can come together to address a pressing public health challenge. By combining free screenings with credible advice and wide outreach, Sunshine Holdings and its partners have set a benchmark for meaningful, preventive healthcare engagement. As the Foundation looks to expand similar initiatives in the future, the programme offers a replicable model for strengthening national wellbeing through sustained, accessible health interventions.