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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 October 2025 AI summary No report on the alleged incident had reached the Ministry or the Government Information Department, and the Minister said any specific case would be checked with the Police. He justified requiring a Government Information Department press ID only for the Cabinet media briefing, citing security and verification concerns after an incident involving a person falsely presenting as media. He added that registration is being expedited and would help identify bona fide journalists for possible benefits such as equipment concessions, training, and scholarships, while journalists without the ID may attend other press conferences. Oral Question: Investigations into Assassinations, Abductions or Assaults of Journalists Since 2010 (Q.2/2025) Parliamentary ProcedureCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
  • 22 October 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa said he could not confirm claims that many journalists were frequently being summoned by the Terrorism Investigation Division without specific names and dates. He stated that the Government had not directed action against journalists for reporting on Palestine or any particular issue, and undertook to consult the Ministry of Public Security and Police and report back if details were provided. Oral Question: Investigations into Assassinations, Abductions or Assaults of Journalists Since 2010 (Q.2/2025) Justice & Human RightsLaw & Order Read →
  • 22 October 2025 AI summary In response to a parliamentary question, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated that no assassinations of journalists had been reported, while one abduction and eight assault incidents were recorded. He named Prageeth Bandara Ekneligoda as the abduction victim and listed the journalists involved in assault cases, providing the status of each related judicial or mediation process, including ongoing trials, charge sheet delays, court orders, withdrawn complaints, and concluded cases. Oral Question: Investigations into Assassinations, Abductions or Assaults of Journalists Since 2010 (Q.2/2025) Law & OrderJustice & Human Rights Read →
  • 22 October 2025 AI summary The Minister moved that the listed reports be printed, which was agreed to by the House. He also presented the 2023 Annual Report of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health on behalf of the relevant ministers and moved that it be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Labour and Human Resources Development, which was also agreed to. Presentation of Reports and Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 21 October 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa moved the adjournment of Parliament. The Deputy Chairperson of Committees then proposed the question for adjournment. Adjournment Motion: Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 21 October 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa moved a new clause to amend section 52(2) of the Principal Enactment by extending the specified period from 24 months to 36 months. The Committee agreed to the clause, added it to the Bill, and then passed the Bill as amended at Third Reading. He also sought and obtained leave to correct language inconsistencies and typographical, grammatical, numbering, and consequential errors in the Bill. Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill - Committee Stage Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 21 October 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa moved several committee-stage amendments to the Bill, including changes to Clause 10 concerning data processing involving transmission of personal data through Sri Lanka. He also moved an amendment to Clause 11 relating to advisory committees under section 33 and guidelines approved by the Authority. The amendments were agreed to, and Clause 10, as amended, was ordered to stand part of the Bill. Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill - Committee Stage Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 21 October 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa concluded the debate by thanking Members for supporting regulations intended to ensure fair medicine prices, noting that the Gazette defined MRP and MCP and would guide registration and re-registration based on fair pricing. He rejected concerns that companies would leave the market or that price controls would lead to substandard medicines, citing past experiences and stating that the NMRA’s primary duty is to ensure quality. He also acknowledged district-level shortages and procurement delays, said reforms were being proposed to improve timely supply while preventing fraud and corruption, and requested approval of the regulations, which was agreed to. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Public FinanceHealthcare Read →
  • 21 October 2025 AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa proposed that Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which the Deputy Speaker left the Chair and Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha assumed it. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 21 October 2025 AI summary The Minister explained the legal and procedural basis for the NMRA’s medicine price regulation, citing the NMRA Act and past court challenges, and sought Parliamentary approval for the regulations gazetted on 7 October 2025 following stakeholder consultation. He outlined the new framework for Maximum Retail Prices and Maximum Ceiling Prices, including appeal mechanisms, semi-annual reviews, and enforcement under Section 131. He also reported improvements in NMRA capacity, reduced file backlogs, increased testing, and ongoing certification upgrades, while addressing hospital medicine shortages as operational stock-management issues being met through central supply, local purchases, and procurement acceleration. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Public FinanceHealthcare Read →
  • 21 October 2025 AI summary Moved approval of regulations made under the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2446/34 of 21 July 2025 and presented to Parliament on 7 October 2025. He noted that the regulations were made after consultations with the NMRA, Consumer Affairs Authority and other stakeholders, and that Cabinet approval had been obtained before opening the debate. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Public Finance Read →
  • 21 October 2025 AI summary Assured Parliament that the proposed changes are intended to strengthen and develop the service, not to make arbitrary alterations. He rejected suggestions that the Government would seek ad hoc approvals for routine matters such as changing tyres or batteries. Question by Private Notice (SO 27(2)): Health Services and Drug Shortages Healthcare Read →
  • 21 October 2025 AI summary The Minister said the Government is continuing and modernizing health initiatives begun by previous Health Ministers, including ambulance services. He stated that discussions are ongoing with emergency physicians on improving in-hospital ambulances and the 1990 Suwa Seriya service, with emphasis on service enhancement and public recognition rather than changes to its number, colour, logo, or foundation. He added that a new board with military, business, medical, and legal expertise has been appointed by the President to support the programme. Question by Private Notice (SO 27(2)): Health Services and Drug Shortages Healthcare Read →
  • 21 October 2025 AI summary Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said no decision had been taken to change the Suwa Seriya Foundation, the “1990” identity, or the green ambulance colour, and that the Government was instead focusing on modernization, recruitment, training, and expanding the fleet with allocations and support from India and the ADB. He stated that no new regulations or policy changes had been made under the Suwa Seriya Act regarding its emergency response purpose. Addressing health-sector staffing, he gave cadre, recruitment, training, and salary revision figures for doctors, nurses, and medical laboratory technologists, saying retention measures include pay increases and administrative improvements within fiscal limits. He also said dialysis fistula needle shortages arose from procurement specification issues, local price spikes had followed, and 460,000 rotatable needles were being cleared for hospital distribution within about a week. Question by Private Notice (SO 27(2)): Health Services and Drug Shortages Public FinanceEmploymentHealthcare Read →
  • 21 October 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the Rs. 183.8 billion allocation for 2025 covers medicines and medical devices through SPC, SPMC, local manufacturers, and local purchases, and is a Treasury-provided envelope with scope for reallocations rather than a response to a prior shortfall. He said the Government aims to maintain uninterrupted medical supplies, while acknowledging that quality failures or supplier issues may cause occasional delays. He also informed Parliament that the interim injunction relating to the Gazette had been vacated, with the next court date set for 30 October, and that there was no current court order preventing Parliament from debating and approving it, after which the NMRA could implement maximum ceiling and retail prices. Oral Question 2 (825/2025): Ministry of Health - Purchase of Medicines Public FinanceHealthcare Read →
  • 21 October 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa explained that medical supply orders tendered in 2024 are being delivered in 2025, while 2026 orders reached the Medical Supplies Division before 31 January and tenders have already commenced, with many concluded. He stated that the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation allocation has been increased from Rs. 60 billion to Rs. 90 billion, with a further Rs. 20 billion expected, and expressed confidence that deliveries from placed tenders will arrive by March next year. He also noted that some tenders require retendering due to no bids or supplier-related issues and said he would table the relevant figures. Oral Question 2 (825/2025): Ministry of Health - Purchase of Medicines HealthcarePublic Finance Read →
  • 21 October 2025 AI summary The Minister of Health and Mass Media stated that the expected 2025 expenditure on medicines by the Ministry of Health and affiliated institutions is Rs. 183.8 billion, including major allocations to SPC, SPMC, MSD, local hospital emergency purchases, AIIB-supported procurement, and Indigenous Medicine. He said 862 priority items have been approved, with 246 to be procured locally and 616 imported, and that orders for imported items were placed through SPC by 31 January with Rs. 90 billion allocated, expected to rise by a further Rs. 20 billion. He outlined the procurement process based on formulary committee recommendations, institutional estimates, and tender procedures, and stated that supplier delays are handled under contract terms while shortages are managed jointly by SPC and MSD. Oral Question 2 (825/2025): Ministry of Health - Purchase of Medicines HealthcarePublic Finance Read →
  • 21 October 2025 AI summary Relief and evacuation measures are being expedited through the Ministry of Disaster Management, other relevant Ministries, and District and Divisional Secretaries. Members were asked to report local issues to District Coordinating Committee Chairpersons or government Members to facilitate faster action. Parliamentary Business and Disaster Management Discussion InfrastructureSecurity & Defence Read →
  • 21 October 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa presented the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Health and Media report covering regulations under the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act relating to medicine pricing and stakeholder recommendations, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2446/34 of 21 July 2025. He also tabled the 2023 annual reports of the 1990 Suwa Seriya Foundation and the State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation, which were ordered to lie upon the Table. Presentation of Papers and Committee Reports HealthcareParliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 10 October 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that, given objections from party leaders and Members to a Motion on banning parties formed on ethnic and religious bases, the debate should not proceed at that moment. He proposed that the matter be discussed at noon in the Committee on Parliamentary Business to decide whether it should be taken up. Private Members' Motion P.41/2025: Ruwanpura Expressway Parliamentary Procedure Read →