Around 1.5 million Sri Lankan adults suffer from diabetes and the number is expected to rise up to 2.1 million by the year 2030. Diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of myocardial infarction, stroke, chronic kidney disease, blindness in adults and amputations. Prevention of these complications requires evidence based multiple risk factor approach and patient centred self management approach with multidisciplinary support. Early intensive glycaemic control decreases microvascular complications and improves cardiovascular outcomes.