figures as updating of information is yet to be made mandatory and fully institutionalized. The HRMIS is yet to be linked with the information systems of the professional councils and the university system in Sri Lanka or the other training facilities within the MoH. The Medical Supplies Information System is fully functional, down to the level of specialized hospitals. Information is compiled through several registries, such as the Sri Lanka Cancer Registry (Ministry of Health, 2020), Sri Lanka Stroke Clinical Registry (launched in 2015 with web-based data collection at the hospital level) and the National Road Traffic Trauma Registry, which compile and maintain disease-specific data. These are maintained by the respective programmes and are regularly updated.
2.7.2 Information management system for emergencies A disaster surveillance system has been established for the surveillance of health-related emergencies and disasters by the Disaster Preparedness and Response Division of the MoH. The sources of surveillance data include local and international radio channels, newspapers and weather forecasts. The Ministry has further strengthened the Disaster Health Information Communication Management system through the development of a disaster health information dashboard, website and through providing satellite communication facilities to the unit.
2.8 Regulation The legal framework for health services in independent Sri Lanka was the Health Services Act 12 of 1952, which was based on the recommendations of the Cumpston Report (1950). The Act provides the Constitution and outlines the responsibilities of the department of health and provides for the establishment of regional hospital boards and hospital committees “to secure more efficient administration”. The Act was later revised as Act Nos 10 of 1956, 13 of 1962 and 13 of 1987. The Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the Socialist Democratic State of Sri Lanka devolved power to the nine provincial councils, with “health” being a partially devolved subject. A Finance Commission, which is an independent body, was established under Article 154 R (4) of the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution. The main responsibility of the Commission is to make recommendations to the President and formulate principles, policies and guidelines on the apportioning of funds between the nine provinces with the objective of achieving balanced regional development in the country.
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