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Sri Lanka
10th Parliament· 154 sittings on record · 30,475 speeches · latest 10 June 2026

Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Kalutara

Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip

Profession: Medical Practitioner

Roster profile ↗
Speeches 729 #3 of 225·#2 in party
Attendance 4/8 days present (of recorded)
Top topic Parliamentary Procedure 403 speeches
Last spoke 10 June 2026 in Adjournment

Activity by sitting

117 sittings · counts only, no scoring.

Topic focus

AI summary AI-assigned tags, 1–3 per speech. Counts only — not a score.

Speech history

729 speeches
  • 22 November 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that an Additional Secretary oversees the handling of donations and receipts, with coordination taking place with the Ministry of Finance to provide tax concessions where possible. He added that the Ministry of Health sometimes covers relevant taxes from its own provisions when purchasing items and said any delays would be examined and addressed. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) HealthcarePublic Finance Read →
  • 22 November 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa responded to concerns about ambulance availability at Galle National Hospital, stating that 12 of 13 ambulances were generally operational and that transfers to Colombo had reduced after the hospital was elevated to national status, while new ambulances would be allocated when available. He tabled a report and also cited the hospital Director’s clarification that operating theatres were functioning normally despite a newspaper report. On Troponin I testing at Colombo National Hospital, he said a temporary halt during an inquiry followed an invalid document, testing had resumed, and patients are not charged when samples are sent to registered private laboratories at government expense. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Parliamentary ProcedureHealthcare Read →
  • 22 November 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that certain health facilities in the North lack nursing posts because they are not included in the Provincial Council-approved cadre. He said there is no objection to appointing nurses, but the cadre must first be revised to create the necessary posts before such appointments can be made. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) Healthcare Read →
  • 22 November 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that the Accident and Emergency Unit at Mannar District General Hospital and the Medical Complex at Mullaitivu District Hospital are being developed in coordination with the Indian High Commission. He said preliminary work has been completed, construction in Mannar is expected to begin within the year, and work on Mullaitivu will also be expedited. Debate: Committee Stage - Heads of Expenditure 111, 210, 211, 220 and 308 (Health and Mass Media) InfrastructureHealthcare Read →
  • 22 November 2025 AI summary The Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip requested two weeks to provide an answer to the question before the House. The question was accordingly ordered to stand down. Oral Questions: Second Round (Q.1116/2025, Q.1180/2025, Q.1316/2025, Q.1429/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 21 November 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that past hospital upgrades were often not based on scientific criteria and said future upgrades would be guided by the national plan. He emphasized that classifications such as “B,” “A,” or District General Hospital must depend on the availability of specialist services, facilities, population distribution, geographic need, and actual demand. He added that required facilities would be provided to base hospitals in stages. Question by Private Notice: Vacancies and Cadre Revision of Base Hospital, Puttalam Public FinanceHealthcare Read →
  • 21 November 2025 AI summary The Minister clarified that the listed projects refer to line Ministry hospitals and special projects, including 13 Chinese-funded regional hospitals under provincial councils, with Kalpitiya and Mirigama nearing opening. He said Rs. 31,000 million has been allocated in the first year of a five-year programme to develop base hospitals, with provincial and hospital-wise allocations being finalized through the Provincial Councils Ministry and the Finance Commission. Funds will be allocated next year, prioritizing base hospitals targeted for upgrading. Question by Private Notice: Vacancies and Cadre Revision of Base Hospital, Puttalam HealthcarePublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
  • 21 November 2025 AI summary Puttalam Base Hospital, currently an “A” grade base hospital, is recognized as having a case for upgrade to a District General Hospital, noting that Puttalam is the only district where the principal town lacks one. The Minister said upgrades will be considered under the forthcoming National Health Policy and Strategic Master Plan, but only after providing required infrastructure and human resources rather than merely changing hospital classification. He noted that Rs. 31 billion has been allocated next year for developing base hospitals and that staffing and construction issues will be addressed in phases under the Ministry’s ten-year plan. Question by Private Notice: Vacancies and Cadre Revision of Base Hospital, Puttalam Public FinanceHealthcare Read →
  • 21 November 2025 AI summary The Minister said the Government is addressing medical staff shortages through recruitment, training, extended retirement for doctors up to age 63, and deploying specialists returning from overseas training where necessary. He stated that hospital upgrades would follow the criteria in the relevant circular and would not be limited to changing nameboards. Regarding Puttalam “A” grade Base Hospital, he said an upgrade would be considered once required services, facilities, and staffing are completed. Question by Private Notice: Vacancies and Cadre Revision of Base Hospital, Puttalam EmploymentHealthcare Read →
  • 21 November 2025 AI summary Responding to a Standing Order 27(2) question on Puttalam Hospital, the Minister said Puttalam is a Type A Base Hospital, upgraded under a 2005 circular, and that the district has one Type B and three Type A base hospitals. He outlined current administrative and accounting arrangements, noted 83 doctors against an approved cadre of 95 with 12 vacancies, and said cadre reviews are ongoing under relevant Health Ministry circulars. He stated that vacancies are being addressed through recruitment, training, extending doctors’ retirement age to 63, and temporary specialist placements, and that any future upgrade of Puttalam Hospital would depend on meeting required services, facilities, and staffing criteria. Question by Private Notice: Vacancies and Cadre Revision of Base Hospital, Puttalam Healthcare Read →
  • 21 November 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, Nalinda Jayatissa tabled a written answer on dairy cattle breeding and artificial insemination from 2020 to 2025. The response provided figures on locally selected semen-donor bulls, imported and domestically produced bovine semen, calves reported from AI services, and stated that no semen-donor bulls were imported during the period. It also compared the advantages and costs of importing semen versus importing animals, noting access to high-yield and sexed genetics but higher fiscal costs for imported semen compared with domestic production. Oral Questions: Second Round – Unemployed Graduates and Bovine Semen Agriculture Read →
  • 21 November 2025 AI summary The Minister said Ayurveda medicine production faces a serious shortage of raw materials due to reliance on imports and insufficient private-sector investment in local production. He stated that the Government is upgrading hospital-linked pharmaceutical production units, including allocating funds in the next Budget to equip the Siddha pharmacy at Kaithady. He added that funds have been allocated this year and will continue in 2026 to improve herbal gardens and increase local raw-material production, with particular focus on completing work in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. Oral Question: Medical Centres Providing Siddha Medicine in Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya Districts (Question No. 4) HealthcareAgriculturePublic Finance Read →
  • 21 November 2025 AI summary The Minister acknowledged staff shortages in Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani hospitals and centres, attributing them to long gaps in recruitment. He stated that 303 Medical Officers (Ayurveda) had been recruited out of an approved cadre of 304, and that recruitment of nurses, dispensers, attendants and health service assistants was being expedited through the Officials’ Committee on public service recruitments chaired by the Secretary to the Prime Minister. Oral Question: Medical Centres Providing Siddha Medicine in Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya Districts (Question No. 4) EmploymentHealthcare Read →
  • 21 November 2025 AI summary In response to a parliamentary question, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa listed Ayurveda hospitals and dispensaries in the Vavuniya, Mullaitivu and Mannar districts and provided vacancy information for Ayurveda Medical Officers. He stated that recent recruitment has filled the vacancies across the three districts, including 303 new Ayurveda Medical Officer appointments on 03.11.2025, with 41 assigned to the Northern Province. He added that professional deployment has been regularized and that no further action arises. Oral Question: Medical Centres Providing Siddha Medicine in Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya Districts (Question No. 4) HealthcareEmployment Read →
  • 21 November 2025 AI summary The Minister, on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, tabled the Annual Reports of the Lanka Fertilizer Company Limited for 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 and the Central Advisory Committee on Engineering Works for 2024. He proposed that the reports be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Sustainable Use of Resources, and the House agreed. Tabling of Papers: Regulations and Annual Reports Parliamentary ProcedureAgriculture Read →
  • 20 November 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that there was no police instruction or circular requiring approval from Public Security Committee chairmen for police reports. He argued that Public Security Committees were being deliberately targeted to undermine mechanisms used to combat the drug trade, and linked criticism of the committees to opposition to anti-drug enforcement efforts. Ministerial Statement and Points of Order: 'Aruna' News Report (19.11.2025) and Related Procedural Matters Security & DefenceLaw & Order Read →
  • 20 November 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that, as Minister of Mass Media, he had the right to make a ministerial communication concerning media freedom and the public’s right to information. The remarks indicate he was defending the propriety of that communication in the parliamentary context. Ministerial Statement and Points of Order: 'Aruna' News Report (19.11.2025) and Related Procedural Matters Public Finance Read →
  • 20 November 2025 AI summary In his capacity as Minister of Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa raised concerns about an “Aruna” newspaper lead story claiming police complaints required approval from a Community Police Committee Chairman, stating that the report was unverified and later inadequately corrected. He cited previous reports by the same media group, including stories related to “Clean Sri Lanka” and Northern commemorations, alleging a pattern of publishing misleading information that could create public unrest or communal tension. He said complaints would be made to relevant authorities and legal action pursued where appropriate, while affirming the Government’s commitment to media freedom and the public’s right to accurate information. Ministerial Statement and Points of Order: 'Aruna' News Report (19.11.2025) and Related Procedural Matters Parliamentary ProcedureLaw & OrderReligion & Culture Read →
  • 20 November 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that no such incidents had been officially reported to the Ministry to date. Oral Question by Private Notice (Standing Order 27(2)): Grant of Permission for Muslim Female Nurses to Wear Trousers Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 20 November 2025 AI summary The Minister said the Health Ministry has no record that a 1992 Private Member’s Motion on nurses’ uniforms was approved or implemented, despite several governments and Health Ministers serving since then. He stated that official uniform decisions in the Government health service are made by the Uniform Committee chaired by the Director-General of Health Services, while private hospital uniforms are outside its remit. He confirmed that the Government has not decided to change nurses’ official uniforms, but relevant professionals or groups may submit proposals to the Committee for consideration. Oral Question by Private Notice (Standing Order 27(2)): Grant of Permission for Muslim Female Nurses to Wear Trousers Parliamentary ProcedureHealthcare Read →