Access Engineering commissions Sri Lanka’s first medical isotope plant today

By Nishel Fernando

Access Engineering PLC (AEL) is set to commission Sri Lanka’s first cyclotron-based radiopharmaceutical manufacturing facility today (February 16), marking a historic milestone in the nation’s healthcare landscape. 

The ceremonial opening is scheduled for 9.30 a.m. at the facility’s premises located at Maligagodella Watta, Aluthapola, Negombo.

The launch of this facility is the result of a strategic public-private partnership involving the project entity Access Medical Tracers (Pvt) Ltd, the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board, and the Ministry of Health. Described as a landmark national initiative, the plant is designed to advance cancer diagnosis capabilities across the island by enabling the local production of radiopharmaceuticals, a critical component in PET scans which has historically been imported.

In a recent disclosure to the Colombo Stock Exchange, Access Engineering confirmed the total investment value of the project at US$ 6.875 million. The facility operates under a Build, Operate, and Own (BOO) model, with AEL holding a 60 percent equity stake in Access Medical Tracers. This venture underscores the company’s “value engineering” strategy, diversifying its portfolio beyond traditional construction into high-tech, high-impact sectors that address national infrastructure gaps.

The domestic production of Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is expected to drastically lower the cost of cancer diagnostics. Industry projections indicate that local manufacturing could reduce the cost of a patient dose from approximately Rs. 54,000—the cost associated with imported isotopes—to roughly Rs. 14,000. 

By eliminating the reliance on imports from India, which often resulted in significant potency loss during transit, the Aluthapola facility is positioned to ensure a stable, cost-effective supply of isotopes, enabling hospitals to increase the number of daily scans and reduce patient waiting lists significantly.