Mental Health Licensing & Regulation in Sri Lanka: 2025 Guide

In Sri Lanka, the regulation of mental health professionals varies significantly by role. Psychiatrists are medically licensed, and clinical psychologists are regulated by the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC), while general psychologists and counsellors practice in an unregulated field.

This guide explains the requirements for each profession, how to verify a provider's credentials with the SLMC, and what to look for to ensure you receive qualified care.

Table of Contents | Jump Ahead

Official Legal Framework

Regulatory Authorities

Professional Categories and Scope of Practice

Verification Procedures for the Public

Complaint Procedures

Current Professional Statistics

Protected Titles and Legal Framework

Recommendations for the Public

Sources and Verification

Official Legal Framework

Primary Legislation:

• Medical Ordinance: Establishes Sri Lanka Medical Council authority
• SLMC Regulations: Govern clinical psychologist registration
• Mental Health Act (Proposed): Under development for comprehensive mental health legislation

Regulatory Authorities

1. SRI LANKA MEDICAL COUNCIL (SLMC)

Website: https://slmc.gov.lk/

Legal Authority: Medical Ordinance

Established: Statutory body for healthcare professional regulation

Functions:

• Licenses clinical psychologists (only psychology category regulated)
• Issues professional registration certificates
• Maintains professional register
• Enforces professional standards and ethics
• Investigates complaints and disciplinary actions
• Issues good standing certificates

• Phone: +94 11 269 1848
• Address: Colombo, Sri Lanka
• Services: Registration, verification, certification
• Application Process: Paper-based applications (online services not currently available)

• Apply for Registration
• Apply for Good Standing Certificate
• Update Details in Register
• Apply for Certificate of Extract of Registration
• Submit Letter of Request for Documents
• Apply for Identity Card

2. SRI LANKA PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION (SLPA)

Status: Attempting to establish regulatory framework

Functions:

• Professional development and advocacy
• Ethical guidelines development
• Liaison with private medical institutions
• Working toward establishing regulatory body

Professional Categories and Scope of Practice

1. LICENSED CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST (REGULATED)

Registration Category: SEC60N - CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST (1)(n)

License Required: SLMC registration certificate

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Psychology: 4 years undergraduate psychology education
• Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology: 2-year specialised clinical psychology program (MPhil in Clinical Psychology)
• Clinical Training: Minimum 1,500 hours of supervised clinical training under registered clinical psychologist
• Supervision: Training must be under SLMC-licensed clinical psychologist or qualified mental health professional

• Educational Verification: Confirm degrees from recognised institutions
• Clinical Training Documentation: Proof of 1,500 hours supervised practice
• Application Submission: Complete SLMC application with required documents
• Evaluation Panel Review: Assessment by clinical psychology evaluation panel
• Registration Issuance: Upon meeting all requirements

• Clinical Assessment: Comprehensive psychological evaluations
• Psychodiagnostics: Mental health disorder diagnosis
• Psychotherapy: Individual, group, family, and couples therapy
• Psychological Testing: Standardised psychological assessments
• Treatment Planning: Evidence-based intervention strategies
• Clinical Supervision: Supervising psychology trainees and interns
• Consultation: Professional consultation to healthcare providers

2. COUNSELOR/PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELOR (UNREGULATED)

Current Practice: Operates without formal regulation

Typical Background:

• Psychology degree (various levels)
• Counselling training programs
• Certificate or diploma level qualifications
• NGO or private practice experience

• No Standardised Requirements: No official education or training standards
• Variable Qualifications: Practitioners with diploma or certificate level training
• No Oversight: No regulatory body for complaint procedures
• Public Safety Risk: Under-qualified practitioners may cause harm

3. PSYCHIATRIST (REGULATED)

License Required: Medical license with psychiatry specialisation

Education Requirements:

• Medical Degree (MBBS): 5-6 years medical education
• Medical Internship: General medical training
• Psychiatry Residency: Specialised psychiatric training
• Medical License: SLMC medical practitioner registration
• Speciality Recognition: Psychiatry specialisation certification

• Medical Diagnosis: Mental health and psychiatric disorders
• Medication Prescription: Psychotropic and psychiatric medications
• Medical Treatment: Comprehensive psychiatric medical care
• Hospitalisation Authority: Medical commitment and treatment orders
• Medical Procedures: Psychiatric medical interventions

4. MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR (GOVERNMENT EMPLOYED)

Role: Basic psychosocial support services

Coverage: Distributed across the country

Functions:

• Psychosocial Support: Basic counselling and support services
• Community Outreach: Mental health awareness and education
• Crisis Support: Emergency psychological first aid
• Referral Services: Connecting clients to appropriate care

5. PSYCHIATRIC NURSE

Specialisation: Mental health nursing

Requirements:

• Nursing Degree: Bachelor's in Nursing
• Psychiatric Nursing Training: Specialised mental health training
• Nursing License: Professional nursing registration

Verification Procedures for the Public

Verifying Clinical Psychologist Credentials:

• Contact SLMC: Call +94 112 691 848 for verification or visit the official SLMC verification portal
• Request Registration Confirmation: Verify SLMC registration status
• Check Registration Number: Confirm SEC60N category registration
• Verify Education: Confirm psychology degrees from recognised institutions
• Clinical Training Verification: Ensure 1,500 hours supervised training completed

Verifying Psychiatrist Credentials:

• SLMC Medical Register: Verify medical practitioner registration
• Speciality Confirmation: Confirm psychiatry specialisation
• Hospital Affiliation: Check employment at recognised medical institutions

Red Flags - Warning Signs:

• No SLMC Registration: Cannot provide SLMC registration number for clinical psychology
• Insufficient Education: Only diploma or certificate level qualifications
• Unverifiable Training: Cannot document 1,500 hours supervised clinical training
• Unlicensed Practice: Claims clinical psychology title without SLMC registration
• Medication Prescription: Non-medical professionals claiming to prescribe medication

Complaint Procedures

For Licensed Clinical Psychologists:

Process:

• Written Complaint: Submit a detailed complaint to SLMC
• Investigation: SLMC professional standards investigation
• Disciplinary Hearing: Formal hearing process if warranted
• Sanctions: Possible disciplinary actions including:
• Reprimand or censure
• Suspension of registration
• Revocation of license
• Conditions on practice
• Appeal Process: Right to appeal disciplinary decisions

For Unregulated Counsellors:

Available Options:

• Professional Associations: Complaints to counsellor associations (limited enforcement)
• Institutional Complaints: Complaints to employing organisations
• Consumer Protection: General consumer protection authorities
• Legal Action: Civil proceedings for malpractice

• Phone: +94 112 691 848
• Address: SLMC offices in Colombo
• Process: Formal written complaint required

Current Professional Statistics

• Clinical Psychologists: Approximately 80 SLMC-registered practitioners
• Psychiatrists: Limited number of medical specialists
• Government Counsellors: Approximately 200 under two ministries
• Private Practitioners: Unknown number of unregulated counsellors
• Service Gap: Severe shortage of qualified mental health professionals

• Urban Concentration: Most services in Colombo and major cities
• Rural Shortage: Limited mental health services in rural areas
• Teaching Hospitals: Some services in Kandy, Karapitiya, Anuradhapura, Jaffna

Protected Titles and Legal Framework

Legally Protected Titles:

• "Clinical Psychologist": Protected under SLMC registration
• "Registered Clinical Psychologist": Indicates SLMC licensing

Unprotected Titles:

• "Psychologist": Not legally protected for general use
• "Counsellor": No legal protection or regulation
• "Therapist": No statutory regulation

Legal Penalties:

• Unauthorised Clinical Practice: Penalties for unlicensed clinical psychology practice
• Professional Misconduct: SLMC disciplinary actions for registered practitioners
• Consumer Protection: General legal remedies for service fraud

Recommendations for the Public

When Seeking Mental Health Services:

• Verify SLMC Registration: For clinical psychologists, confirm SLMC registration
• Check Qualifications: Ensure practitioner has appropriate education and training
• Ask About Training: Inquire about supervised clinical training hours
• Seek Referrals: Get recommendations from medical professionals or institutions
• Be Cautious: Avoid practitioners with only diploma or certificate qualifications

For Serious Mental Health Issues:

• Medical Evaluation: Consult SLMC-registered psychiatrists for medical assessment
• Hospital Services: Utilise services at recognised teaching hospitals
• Emergency Care: Access emergency psychiatric services when needed

Sources and Verification

Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC)

Sri Lanka Psychological Association (SLPA)

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)