Welcome to the 1st Maternity Hospital in Sri Lanka/ Ceylon (the 2nd oldest maternity hospital in Asia). This historical institution, popularly known as the De Soysa Lying-in-Home or De Soysa Maternity Hospital (DMH), was founded in the year 1879 through the generosity of Charles Henry de Soysa, a great philanthropist of the era.

Indicated below are a few important landmarks in the history of this institution in relation to safe motherhood within Sri Lanka:

• 1879 - The 1st Maternity Hospital in Sri Lanka/ Ceylon ( the 2nd oldest maternity hospital in Asia).

• 1881 - The 1st midwifery training school in Sri Lanka/ Ceylon.

• 1905 - The 1st caesarean operation performed in the island.

• 1915 - The 1st training center for medical students and nurses in Sri Lanka.

• 1921 - The 1st Ante-natal clinic in Asia, for pregnant mothers.

• 2003 - The 2nd Government Hospital in Sri Lanka to win the Taiki Akimoto award for best implementation of '5 S' in the service sector.