Safe motherhood in Sri Lanka: a 100-year march.

The present safe motherhood status in Sri Lanka has been achieved by a series of activities for health and social development during the past century. While ancient and traditional religious, as well as cultural concepts provided a sound foundation, it was the policies that focused on human development that resulted in reducing the maternal mortality rate to 2.4 per 10000 live births, and the infant mortality rate to 16.5 per (1000) live births. Maternal and Child Health (MCH) services were initially closely linked to improvements in the healthcare infrastructure and social development, while family planning introduced in 1953 enhanced its progress further. With MCH integrated into reproductive health, the march towards a safer motherhood in Sri Lanka will require the implementation of new policies and strategies.