[1] In 1960, the NHSL blood bank was shifted to its current building, near the hospital's main entrance.
In 1980, the number of hospital-based blood banks reached 20, and 12 emergency bleeding centres were also established.
[1] By 1982, volunteer non-remunerated blood donations accounted for 97% of all transfusions, and the "Anti A1" reagent was manufactured for the first time in Sri Lanka using kollu seeds.
In 1987, the emergence of AIDS led to the introduction of screening of all collected blood for HIV 1 and 2 antibodies.
[1] In 1990, the component laboratory facility was further extended to blood banks at Karapitiya, Kurunegala, CI Maharagama, Peradeniya, Anuradhapura, Matara and Badulla.