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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
  • 6 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa responded on facilities at Batticaloa Teaching Hospital, stating that an MRI machine will be supplied this year through an ADB-funded tender process and that the CT scanner has already been upgraded. He said a cath lab will be installed once construction of the Cardiology Unit is completed in about five months, and noted that the hospital’s LINAC had been upgraded under Phase I of the national project. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Healthcare Read →
  • 6 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa clarified that nursing promotion timelines remain unchanged under the existing Nursing Establishment: Grade II to Grade I in five years, Grade I to Senior Grade I in seven years, and Senior Grade I to Supra Grade in ten years. He rejected claims that all promotions had been extended to ten years or that pensions would be affected, stating that promotions would proceed according to the established schedule. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Public FinanceEmployment Read →
  • 6 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa responded to issues raised regarding Mannar District General Hospital, stating that work to establish an Emergency Treatment Unit is underway with Indian Government support and is expected to be expedited. He said a paediatric specialist is being seconded from Chavakachcheri to Mannar, while the request for a CT scanner will be considered though no immediate delivery date can be promised. He also indicated he would visit Mannar General Hospital on 26 March and invited participation. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Healthcare Read →
  • 6 March 2025 AI summary Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa argued that the current Government is bearing the financial consequences of decisions made by the Opposition Leader’s previous administration. He stated that the Government is meeting its obligations in paying the resulting debt or fiscal burden. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Public Finance Read →
  • 6 March 2025 AI summary Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa responded to a claim that state television and ITN do not pay VAT, stating that VAT has been paid as required over the previous five months. He said VAT arrears predated September, that relief had been obtained, and that those arrears are also being settled. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Public Finance Read →
  • 6 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that although the Online Safety Commission has been gazetted under the Ministry of Mass Media, it has not yet been established. He said the Government intends to convene stakeholders, led by the Ministries of Mass Media, Justice, and Public Security, to review proposed amendments and submissions on the Online Safety Bill and reach a prompt decision, allowing those who had not previously submitted views to contribute. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Law & OrderParliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 6 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the earlier decision to use Neville Fernando Hospital instead of Kalutara District General Hospital, Nagoda, as the teaching facility for the University of Moratuwa Medical Faculty was incorrect. He said the Moratuwa Faculty’s professorial unit will begin at Kalutara Teaching Hospital by June, with wards allocated at Nagoda, while land at the Nagoda Depot site has been identified for a permanent faculty facility expected to take about three years. He also indicated plans to develop Panadura Base Hospital, Horana and other district hospitals, and requested support for these initiatives. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media InfrastructureHealthcare Read →
  • 6 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa said he had received a YouTube clip from Sudath Thilakasiri regarding difficulties in safely moving patients between the Cardiology Unit, OPD, and Cardiothoracic Surgery facilities, and had referred it to the Secretary. He noted that ambulances are currently being used but a permanent solution is needed without imposing burdens on patients, and said Sudath Thilakasiri’s offer of assistance would be discussed and acted upon. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media InfrastructureHealthcare Read →
  • 6 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the Government had substantially increased basic salaries for paramedical staff, doctors, and nurses, while noting that overtime, extra duty, and holiday payments must remain within economic limits. He also said the long-standing issue of dengue control assistants was being addressed, with Cabinet approval to recruit unqualified personnel as Multitask Development Assistants and steps under way to resolve appointments for both O/L-qualified and non-qualified workers through the Public Service Commission. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media HealthcareEmployment Read →
  • 6 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa said the Government had increased basic salaries across health sector categories, including raising preliminary grade doctors’ basic salary from Rs. 54,290 to Rs. 94,000, and that discussions with unions had helped avert planned strikes while maintaining services with revised extra duty, overtime and public holiday rates. He outlined allocations and modernization plans for the Department of Posts, including Rs. 23.9 billion in funding, new and upgraded post offices, vehicle fleet renewal, and development of selected post offices and the Postal Museum as tourist attractions. He also detailed Mass Media Ministry initiatives, including Rs. 5.52 billion in allocations, Presidential Media Awards, a proposed chartered institute for journalists, a National Media Policy by June, journalist scholarships, Government Press modernization, expedited TV digitalization, and reforms to depoliticize State media. He added that the Sri Lanka Foundation would be redirected from venue-related activities to its original policy support role. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Public FinanceEducationEmployment Read →
  • 6 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa outlined a three-year nutrition programme addressing undernutrition and obesity, including Rs. 5,000 million for Triposha and the introduction of rice-based Triposha due to aflatoxin concerns in maize. He stated that the Government is reviving, not closing, the Triposha factory, and is addressing maize supply issues. He also proposed developing health tourism with Ayurveda and private-sector participation, including possible use of Neville Fernando Hospital, and detailed forthcoming health-sector recruitments and training across nursing, public health, technical, and support categories. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media EmploymentHealthcare Read →
  • 6 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa outlined the Government’s health policy framework under “A Sustainable Life – A Healthy Nation,” linking it to Universal Health Coverage and SDG 3, and stated that the 2025 Budget provides Rs. 604 billion for the overall health sector, including provincial services. He identified five priorities: strengthening primary healthcare, upgrading hospitals, ensuring uninterrupted quality medicines, addressing health workforce issues, and developing health tourism. He emphasized the burden of non-communicable diseases and population ageing, and announced plans to upgrade 1,031 primary facilities, allocate Rs. 12.1 billion for primary healthcare development, pursue a new US$100 million World Bank project for 1,000 primary care centres, and seek donor land for community-level facilities. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media HealthcarePublic FinanceEducation Read →
  • 6 March 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa requested two weeks to provide an answer to a pending question. The question was ordered to stand down, and proceedings moved to a Standing Order 27(2) question by Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan. Oral Question Stand Down Request Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 6 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa presented the 2023 Annual Report of the Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation. He proposed referring the report to the relevant Sectoral Oversight Committee, which was agreed to by the House. Tabling of Annual Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 5 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa outlined increases to supplementary medical professionals’ public holiday allowances, annual salary increments, overtime-related benefits, and basic salaries, along with PAYE tax relief that exempts Grade II and Grade I officers and gives limited relief to some Supra Grade officers. He said the package covers about 5,500 workers and is the maximum currently affordable to the economy. He urged supplementary medical professionals not to be misled by claims from trade union figures, to avoid strike action, report to work, and continue discussions on further improvements as economic conditions improve. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 EmploymentPublic Finance Read →
  • 5 March 2025 AI summary Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa clarified ahead of the Health Ministry Vote that a threatened doctors’ strike had been withdrawn after discussions and that health services were continuing normally. He said seven supplemental health professional cadres, including pharmacists, medical laboratory technologists, radiographers and therapists, had served significantly during the economic crisis and that the Government was increasing their remuneration to retain skilled staff. He outlined increases in basic salaries across grades, from about Rs. 22,000 at entry levels to about Rs. 43,320 at the highest grade, along with higher overtime hourly rates from April. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Public FinanceEmploymentHealthcare Read →
  • 5 March 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Justice and National Integration, the Annual Report of the Sri Lanka Judges’ Institute for 2023 was presented to Parliament. It was moved that the report be referred to the relevant Sectoral Oversight Committee, and the motion was agreed to. Papers Presented: Annual Reports and Committee Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 4 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa requested that another Member allow him to complete his statement before speaking. The intervention was procedural in nature and did not address a substantive policy issue. Ministerial Statements and Points of Order Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 1 March 2025 AI summary Moved the adjournment of Parliament. The Deputy Speaker then proposed the question for consideration. Procedural: Motion for Adjournment Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 1 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa addressed concerns over fuel distribution and urged the public not to panic-buy. He provided figures for diesel and petrol released on the previous day and by 5.00 p.m. that day, stating that releases were above normal daily levels. He also said distributors who had threatened action had nevertheless collected or paid for fuel loads, and assured that sufficient fuel was being supplied. Committee of Supply: Ministry of Justice and National Integration (Head 110, Heads 228-236, Head 326) Cost of Living Read →