Sri Lanka has developed a structured system for managing health-care waste through national legislation, institutional guidelines, segregation practices, treatment facilities and environmental controls. Health-care waste is generated in hospitals, medical centres, laboratories, clinics, dental facilities, veterinary institutions, pharmacies and other health-care establishments. The management of this waste is particularly important because infectious materials, sharps, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and other hazardous substances can cause injuries, infections, environmental pollution and occupational health risks if they are not handled properly. The main approach to health-care waste management in Sri Lanka is segregation at the point of generation. Waste is separated according to its nature and potential risk before collection and transportation. General non-hazardous waste is kept separate from infectious and hazardous waste. Infectious waste generally includes materials contaminated with blood and other body fluids, pathological materials, laboratory waste and disposable items used in patient care. Sharps such as needles, syringes, blades and broken glass are separately collected in puncture-resistant containers. Pharmaceutical waste, chemical waste and other special categories require additional precautions because they may pose toxic or environmental hazards. Colour-coded containers and bags are used in health-care institutions to facilitate segregation. Infectious and other hazardous wastes are placed in designated containers, while ordinary municipal-type waste is handled separately. Sharps are collected in rigid, leak-proof and puncture-resistant containers so that health workers, waste handlers and the public are protected from needle-stick injuries. Correct segregation is considered one of