Food and Water Microbiology
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Ensuring Excellence in Food & Water Safety
The Food and Water Microbiology Laboratory at the NIHS provides fully accredited microbial
analysis to safeguard public healthcare, supply networks, and consumers across Sri Lanka.
Introduction
Operational background and regulatory framework of the NIHS Laboratory
Statutory Authority
Authorized to analyze food and water samples under the Food Act No. 26 of 1980. The laboratory plays a significant role in Sri Lanka’s national food control program with an effective inspectorate.
Gazetted Management
Managed by the Consultant Clinical Microbiologist, gazetted as an Additional Approved Analyst under the Food Act No. 26 of 1980 (5.2), Gazette No. 1838/12 (Tuesday, November 26, 2013).
Territorial Service Scope
Provides services to all administrative areas in Sri Lanka since 1987, with the exception of the Colombo municipality limits.
Inspectorate & Compliance
All samples received from the inspectorate are tested for compliance with food regulations, and official reports are issued under the Food Act No. 26 of 1980 directly to authorized officers.
ISO 17025 Accreditation
The Sri Lanka Accreditation Board (SLAB) granted official laboratory accreditation under **ISO/IEC 17025** in **2023**, confirming global technical competence.
Educational & Training Hub
In addition to diagnostic tasks, the laboratory provides practical training and facilities to **PHII, MLTT, and other in-service trainees**.
Quality Policy
It is the policy of NIHS Food and Water Microbiology laboratory to achieve and maintain the highest standard of quality in all
aspects of its work.
The purpose of our quality system is to ensure:
ISO Standard Excellence
Requirements of ISO 17025 - 2017 are met daily for all tests for which SLAB accreditation is held.
Client-Centric Testing
Needs of clients are fully understood, prioritized, and met accurately in every procedure.
Validated Reliability
Test methods selected are up to date and fully validated as fit for purpose, to ensure the accuracy and reliability of our test results.
Dr. Roshan Jayasuriya
MBBS(Col), Dip Med Micro, MD (Colombo)
Authorized Signatory
NIHS Quality Assurance Directive
Responsible for the formulation, systematic review, and continuous implementation of the Laboratory Quality Management System (QMS) aligned with ISO accreditation standards, and serves as the primary Authorized Signatory for all diagnostic reports and compliance statements.
Introduction
ISO/IEC 17025
Accreditation
8 Major Assays
Accredited Parameters
SLAB Standardized
System Compliance
Staff Roster
Our qualified medical and scientific laboratory personnel
Lab Supporting Staff
Mrs. D Sriyani
Lab Aide
Mrs. R K K Y S Ranasinghe
Lab Aide
Mrs. R L Renuka Priyanthi
SKS
Testing Scope
Accredited diagnostic parameters under Sri Lankan Standards (SLS)
1. Milk and Milk Products
Aerobic Plate Count
SLS 516 Part 1 Section 1 : 2013
Total Coliform Count
SLS 516 Part 3 Section 1 : 2013
Escherichia Coli Count
SLS 516 Part 12 : 2013
Salmonella
SLS 516 Part 5 : 2013
Staphylococcus aureus
SLS 516 Part 6 Section 1 : 2013
Yeasts and Moulds
SLS 516 Part 2 : 2013
2. Agri Food Products (Plant based, Meat and Fish)
Aerobic Plate Count
SLS 516 Part 1 Section 1 : 2013
Total Coliform Count
SLS 516 Part 3 Section 1 : 2013
Escherichia Coli Count
SLS 516 Part 12 : 2013
Salmonella
SLS 516 Part 5 : 2013
Staphylococcus aureus
SLS 516 Part 6 Section 1 : 2013
Yeasts and Moulds
SLS 516 Part 2 : 2013
3. Potable Water
Total Coliform Count
SLS 1461 PART 1 : 2015
Escherichia Coli Count
SLS 1461 PART 1 : 2015
Accepted Samples & SLS Standards
Search or filter through approved testing matrices and matching Sri Lankan Standard (SLS) specifications.
| Product group / matrix | SLS standard reference | UDC classification |
|---|---|---|
| Bottled (packaged) drinking water (second revision) | SLS 894 : 2003 | — |
| Bottled natural mineral water (first revision) | SLS 1038 : 2003 | UDC 663.646 |
| Potable water (first revision) | SLS 614 : 2013 | UDC 663.6 |
| Carbonated beverages (third revision) | SLS 183 : 2013 | UDC 663.64.057 |
| Ready to serve fruit drinks (first revision) | SLS 729 : 2010 | UDC 663.81 |
| Non-carbonated artificial/flavoured cordials and beverages (second revision) | SLS 221 : 2010 | UDC 663.85 |
| Fruit juices and nectars | SLS 1328 : 2008 | UDC 663.813 |
| Frozen confections and freeze drinks | SLS 967 : 1992 | UDC 663.674 |
| Fruit squashes, fruit syrups and fruit cordials | SLS 214 : 2010 | UDC 663.81 |
| Biscuits (second revision) | SLS 251 : 2010 | UDC 664.681 |
| Cakes | SLS 1074 : 2019 | — |
| Fat spreads and blended fat spreads | SLS 1427 : 2011 | UDC 665.11 |
| Ready to eat extruded snacks | SLS 1162 : 1997 | UDC 664.696.1 |
| Poultry meat (first revision) | SLS 1161 : 2003 | UDC 636.58 |
| Comminuted meat products | SLS 1218 : 2001 | UDC 664.91 |
| Dried fish (first revision) | SLS 643 : 2007 | UDC 664.951.2 |
| Quick frozen cuttlefish and squid (first revision) | SLS 790 : 1999 | UDC 639.4 |
| Quick frozen whole fish, fish fillets, steaks and minced fish | SLS 1141 : 1996 | UDC 639.38 : 637.56 |
| Quick frozen prawns or shrimps (second revision) | SLS 10 : 1991 | UDC 639.512 |
| Quick frozen lobsters (first revision) | SLS 188 : 1987 | UDC 639.516 |
| Textured soya protein (Defatted) | SLSS 898 : 1990 | UDC 633.34 : 664.38 |
| Tomato sauce (second revision) | SLS 260 : 2008 | UDC 664.871.6 : 635.64 |
| Desiccated coconut (second revision) | SLS 98 : 2013 | UDC 66.047.4/.5 |
| Jams, jellies and marmalades (second revision) | SLS 265 : 2011 | UDC 664.858 |
| Processed cereal-based foods for infants and young children (first revision) | SLS 1036 : 2011 | UDC 664.696 |
| Turmeric, whole and ground (first revision) | SLS 613 : 2017 | UDC 664.59 |
| Milled rice (second revision) | SLS 633 : 2021 | UDC 664.782.8 |
| Chillie, whole and ground | SLS 1563 : 2017 | UDC 664.5 |
| Buns | SLS 737 : 1986 | UDC 664.661 |
| Chillie sauce | SLS 581 : 2008 | UDC 664.871.6 |
| Wafers | SLS 1313 : 2007 | UDC 664.681 |
| Chicken eggs | SLS 959 : 1992 | UDC 637.4 |
| Milk powder | SLS 731 : 2008 | — |
| Sweetened condensed milks | SLS 179 : 2012 | — |
| Raw & processed milk | SLS 181 : 1983 | — |
| Fermented milk (curd) | SLS 824 : Part 1 2017 | — |
| Ice cream | SLS 223 : 2017 | — |
| Butter | SLS 279 : 1988 | — |
| Cheese | SLS 773 : 1987 | — |
| Yoghurt | SLS 824 Part 2 : 2018 | — |
| Infant formula (starter) | SLS 651 : 2007 | — |
| Milk added drinks | SLS 917 : 2018 | — |
SLAB Certification & Compliance
The Food and Water Microbiology Laboratory of the National Institute of Health Sciences (NIHS) is officially accredited by the Sri Lanka Accreditation Board (SLAB) under the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard. This certification validates our technical competence and compliance with globally recognized standard diagnostic protocols.
Accreditation Standard
ISO / IEC 17025 : 2017
General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories
Accreditation Number
TL 097-01
Official reference registration assigned by SLAB Sri Lanka
Accreditation Cycle
Since 2023
Granted to biological testing for food & water micro-parameters
Official Verification Registries (SLAB Direct Portal)
Secure SLAB Server Verification
Accreditation Certificate
Access and verify the formal Certificate of Accreditation granted by the Sri Lanka Accreditation Board, showing compliant biological diagnostic operations at NIHS Kalutara.
Accredited Scope of Testing
Examine the registered diagnostic parameters, testing matrices, and SLS methods officially documented and approved under certificate registration reference TL 097-01.
Verification Gateway:
These reference materials are securely hosted directly within the official directory servers of the Sri Lanka Accreditation Board (SLAB). External stakeholders can independently audit and verify our technical competence registry dynamically at any time. Visit slab.lk
Diagnostic & Surveillance Statistics
Authorized annual reference parameters, sample sources, and microbial workload tracking.
Total Samples Tested
14,528
Cumulative (2023 - 2025)
Total Microbial Assays
36,112
Parameters run dynamically
Primary Sample Matrix
Lunch & Fast Food
6,388 cases recorded
Leading Source Region
Kalutara District
6,440 territorial submissions
| Product group / matrix | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinks | 350 | 197 | 146 |
| Frozen fish | 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Lunch & fast food | 1,457 | 2,523 | 2,408 |
| Meat & meat products | 5 | 5 | 18 |
| Milk & milk products | 800 | 495 | 353 |
| Milk powder | 307 | 226 | 197 |
| Other | 104 | 128 | 88 |
| Potable water | 1,720 | 1,546 | 1,351 |
| Non potable water | 7 | 35 | 49 |
| Total registered samples | 4,751 | 5,161 | 4,616 |
| Source region / district | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ampara District | 2 | 26 | 13 |
| Anuradhapura District | 0 | 9 | 166 |
| Badulla District | 46 | 87 | 67 |
| Colombo District | 17 | 4 | 86 |
| Galle District | 850 | 919 | 698 |
| Gampaha District | 0 | 0 | 32 |
| Hambanthota District | 460 | 537 | 544 |
| Kalutara District | 2,081 | 2,411 | 1,948 |
| Kurunegala District | 10 | 0 | 27 |
| Matara District | 645 | 564 | 450 |
| Ministry of Health | 531 | 439 | 313 |
| Monaragala District | 90 | 120 | 97 |
| NIHS – Kalutara | 10 | 10 | 3 |
| Nuwara Eliya District | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| Polonnaruwa District | 0 | 0 | 51 |
| Puttalam District | 0 | 10 | 44 |
| Rathnapura District | 0 | 24 | 62 |
| Trincomalee District | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Vavniya District | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Jaffna District | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| Total registered volume | 4,751 | 5,161 | 4,616 |
| Tested microbial assay parameter | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerobic plate count (SLS 516:Part 1:2013) | 1,567 | 1,057 | 808 |
| Escherichia coli count (SLS 1461 PART 1:2015) | 1,720 | 1,546 | 1,351 |
| Escherichia coli count (SLS 516:Part 12) | 2,571 | 3,285 | 3,013 |
| Indole | 307 | 226 | 197 |
| Moulds (SLS 1558:Part 1) | 350 | 197 | 146 |
| Salmonella species (SLS 516:Part 5) | 416 | 365 | 309 |
| Staphylococcus aureus count (SLS 516:Part 6) | 312 | 237 | 221 |
| Total coliform count (SLS 1461 PART 1:2015) | 1,561 | 1,046 | 784 |
| Total coliform count (SLS 516:Part 3/Section 1) | 3,492 | 4,330 | 4,005 |
| Yeast (SLS 1558:Part 1) | 350 | 197 | 146 |
| Total executed assays | 12,646 | 12,486 | 10,980 |
View All Raw Annual Reference Tables
View All Raw Annual Reference Tables
Laboratory Downloads
Official documents, feedback sheets, and reference methodologies for external public health inspector (PHI) agents and stakeholders.
Guidelines & Technical Protocols
Sample Collection Guidelines
PDF Document (1.4MB) • V2.1
Quality Management & Customer Feedback
Comments & Suggestions Form
QMS Client Feedback Protocol (ISO 17025 Compliant) - English (EN)
අදහස් සහ යෝජනා පෝරමය
පාරිභෝගික ප්රතිපෝෂණ සහ ගුණාත්මකභාවය ඇගයීමේ පෝරමය - සිංහල (Sinhala)
Contact Us
Get in touch with the administration or schedule sample submissions.
Lab Administration & Contact
Location / Address:
Food & Water Microbiology Lab, National Institute of Health Sciences (NIHS), Kalutara, Sri Lanka.
Telephone:
034-2222264 (Ext: 258 - 259)
Email Address:
foodmicronihs@gmail.com
Sample Accepting Hours:
Weekdays: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Saturday: 8:30 AM – 12:00 NOON
General Office Hours:
Weekdays 8:30 AM - 4:15 PM
(Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays)