Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa, M.P.
Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip
Profession: Medical Practitioner
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 January 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Environment, Dr. Nalinda Jayathissa tabled an answer stating that Sri Lanka has 103 rivers, with their names and locations provided in an annex. The response identified major causes of river pollution, including urbanization, industrial effluent, sewage and solid waste discharge, sand mining, unauthorized constructions, agrochemical use, deforestation, and degradation of mangroves and riparian vegetation. It outlined the roles of relevant agencies and noted that while short-term conservation programmes exist, long-term programmes are lacking, with “Pivithuru Ganga” identified as the main ministry initiative. The answer also described Central Environmental Authority monitoring and legal measures under the National Environmental Act, while noting weak institutional coordination, inadequate legal frameworks, and limited capacity to test residual pesticides and agrochemicals. Oral Question: Rivers in Sri Lanka and Pollution Measures (Q.9/2025) InfrastructurePublic FinanceEnvironment Read →
- 22 January 2025 AI summary The Annual Performance Report of the Ministry of Health for 2023 was presented to Parliament. It was proposed and agreed that the report be referred to the Consultative Committee on the Ministry of Health and Mass Media. Papers: Annual Reports Tabled (Sri Lanka Institute of Policy Studies, Ministry of Health, Department of Coast Conservation) HealthcareParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 January 2025 AI summary Dr. Nalinda Jayathissa stated that the electricity tariff has already been reduced. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Cost of Living Read →
- 21 January 2025 AI summary Responding to a reference to his name, Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa addressed claims that a medicine formerly priced at Rs. 76,000 is now sold at Rs. 370. He suggested that further details, including the ownership of the company and the reasons for the price change, should be sought from the Member for Alawatuwala in the relevant district. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme HealthcareCost of Living Read →
- 21 January 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa stated that the matter is being discussed with the Department of Ayurveda. He said a final answer would be provided at the next sitting. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Healthcare Read →
- 21 January 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa provided answers regarding petitioners connected to the Ayurveda Shastri course, stating that the first petitioner had not submitted an application to the Department of Ayurveda. He detailed the examination status of the other petitioners, noting who had passed, failed, completed the course, or not appeared for examinations. He clarified that the Department of Ayurveda conducts only the relevant examinations and does not conduct the Ayurveda Shastri teaching programme. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Education Read →
- 21 January 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa responded to a question by Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra regarding former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s overseas visits and related expenditure. Speaking on behalf of the Prime Minister and the relevant Minister, he requested two weeks to provide the answer, and the question was ordered to stand down. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 January 2025 AI summary Cancer was described as a major national health burden, particularly affecting women and imposing serious social and economic costs on families. Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa said a 2018 Ministry project worth USD 29 million to replace Cobalt-60 machines with linear accelerators had faced delays in Phase I, though equipment had been provided to Jaffna, Batticaloa, Galle, Kandy and the National Cancer Institute, and implementation had been expedited after the election. He stated that Phase II, covering Hambantota, Ratnapura, Anuradhapura, Kurunegala and Badulla hospitals, was agreed the previous day and is expected to be completed within about eight months, with interim referrals to Apeksha Hospital for affected patients. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) InfrastructureHealthcare Read →
- 21 January 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa said the Ministry of Health is working to establish End-Post positions on a scientific, needs-based basis to ensure patient care, support doctors, and maintain medical student training. He stated that discussions are ongoing with specialist and medical officer associations to regularize the process, particularly through teaching hospitals, and to create a mechanism for deploying specialists to underserved locations. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) HealthcareEmployment Read →
- 21 January 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa stated that “End Post” positions in government teaching hospitals were created under Gazette Extraordinary No. 1176/15 of 22 March 2001 to meet service requirements. He said their objectives include developing centres of excellence, improving use of hospital resources, increasing specialist availability, enhancing medical training, and reducing specialist brain drain. He further noted that no additional issue arose regarding the matter, as an existing transfer policy is already in operation. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Healthcare Read →
- 10 January 2025 AI summary Parliament was adjourned on a motion moved by Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa. The House agreed to the motion, and proceedings were adjourned at 12.25 p.m. until 9.30 a.m. on Tuesday, 21 January 2025. Adjournment Motion Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 10 January 2025 AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa clarified the Government’s position regarding media reports that Rs. 7 million had been spent on the Clean Sri Lanka launch. He stated that only about Rs. 900,000 had been approved for payment, that no payments had yet been made for items such as a singer, lyricist, or website, and that higher quotations were not procured. He said the claims made in Parliament the previous day were false and that no Treasury expenditure above Rs. 900,000 had been made or intended for the launch. Procedural Clarification on Media Report Public FinanceParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 10 January 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa moved that Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha take the Chair. The motion was agreed to, after which Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne left the Chair and Hon. Sanjeewa Ranasingha assumed the Chair. Votes of Condolence: Hon. Kumara Welgama, Hon. H. Nandasena, and Hon. Tudor Gunasekera Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 10 January 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Government, condolences were extended to the family of former Minister Kumara Welgama, recalling his long political career representing the Kalutara District across several parties and roles. The remarks highlighted his work as an SLFP organizer from 1982, his later ministerial and development contributions, and his reputation for accessibility, independence, and willingness to act according to his convictions. The Minister also noted Welgama’s efforts in later years to guide younger politicians and wished him peace. Votes of Condolence: Hon. Kumara Welgama, Hon. H. Nandasena, and Hon. Tudor Gunasekera Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 10 January 2025 AI summary The Minister questioned the procedural basis for the matter being raised in Parliament. He asked under which provision the Member was seeking to proceed at that time. Procedural Matters: Oral Questions Postponement and Sitting Hours Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 January 2025 AI summary Nalinda Jayathissa stated that his side was willing to manage a one-hour debate, but noted that time reductions would affect all parties and that two of their speakers had already been omitted. He said that if the debate was limited to one hour, time would have to be reduced from the Adjournment Debate. Special Commodity Levy Act: Orders and Related Motions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 January 2025 AI summary The Minister tabled a response identifying SLBC and ITN-operated Lak Handa and Wasantham FM as state-owned radio stations, with employee numbers and profit/loss data since 2015 placed in the Library. He stated that SLBC recorded losses from 2015 to 2023 and that a special expert committee has been appointed to recommend measures to make it self-financing. He also noted that strategic short-, medium- and long-term plans are being prepared to sustain profitability and increase revenue for Lak Handa and Wasantham FM. Oral Questions Public Finance Read →
- 9 January 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that the Government supports disclosing the requested information and will facilitate its provision as soon as possible. The question was ordered to stand down. Oral Questions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 January 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa stated that the prepared reply did not address the question raised. He undertook to amend the response and provide a detailed answer within two weeks. Oral Questions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 January 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that the available Ministry reply was not adequate because the question referred to Chapter 7 of the Clinical Practice Guidelines for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients, which had subsequently been revised as Chapter 8. He requested two weeks to provide a comprehensive and accurate response. Oral Questions HealthcareParliamentary Procedure Read →