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- 9 January 2025 AI summary The Minister said the Government, President, and Epidemiology Unit were closely monitoring HMPV and would promptly inform the public and take precautions if any case was detected. He clarified that media reports claiming a current first case had misrepresented a reference to an earlier occurrence, noting that one suspected case had tested negative and 20 testing sites had been designated. He urged media and social media to report scientifically and responsibly on health issues that could affect public welfare and the economy. Oral Questions HealthcarePublic Finance Read →
- 9 January 2025 AI summary The Minister acknowledged serious health-sector staffing shortages at all levels, attributing them to both insufficient personnel and distribution problems. He stated that staff are being redeployed to critical locations and that nursing cohorts will be recruited in the first quarter to help address hospital-level shortages. Oral Questions Healthcare Read →
- 9 January 2025 AI summary Minister Nalinda Jayathissa stated that health professionals have gone abroad for employment, education and other reasons, but said continuous recruitment, training and human resource management are being used to maintain services and fill vacancies. He noted that doctors’ retirement age has been extended to 63, and that detailed cadre data on current staff, future needs, pre-retirement departures and those in training had been tabled in an annex. He outlined measures including deploying returning specialists, recruiting medical officers after house officer training, recruiting the 2019 nursing intake in early 2025, filling supplementary and paramedical posts, and proceeding with approved minor and junior grade recruitments, while acknowledging deployment challenges from past recruitment patterns. Oral Questions EmploymentHealthcare Read →
- 9 January 2025 AI summary The Minister of Health and Mass Media stated that he was providing the answer to a question before the House. No substantive policy details, proposals, or issues were included in the provided excerpt. Oral Questions Healthcare Read →
- 9 January 2025 AI summary Minister Nalinda Jayathissa briefly stated that it is not known “with whom,” indicating uncertainty about the parties or persons involved in the matter under discussion. No specific proposal, demand, or policy position was elaborated in the available excerpt. Oral Questions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 January 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa said Sri Lanka Thriposha Ltd. is being revived as a nationally important institution and confirmed that production of Thriposha, Suposha and Calorie Bar continues at normal levels. He detailed the target beneficiaries for free Thriposha distribution, including pregnant and lactating mothers and malnourished children, and noted that maize and soya supply and quality constraints have affected production. He said the company is profit-making, with Rs. 555 million post-tax profit in 2023, and outlined plans with the Agriculture Ministry to support farmers through buy-back arrangements while also testing rice-based alternatives with FAO support. He stated that the Government intends to maintain free nutritional products for target groups and expand commercial products while ensuring nutritional standards. Adjournment and Adjournment Questions AgricultureHealthcare Read →
- 8 January 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa responded to a reference made to him by Hon. Ranjith Madduma Bandara, stating that media reports had distorted his remarks at the opening of a donor-funded building at the Kataragama Devalaya. He said there had been no objection from the Basnayake Nilame or the Apeksha Hospital representatives present, and argued that the criticism was instead linked to his earlier disclosure in Parliament of individuals, including former Minister Dharmadasa Banda, who had received money from the President’s Fund. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 8 January 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa requested an investigation into the matter and asked during which period the incident occurred. Procedural Matters and Standing Order 27(2) Question on Prevention of Terrorism Act Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 January 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa raised concern over a public allegation made the previous day that women working in Parliament frequently face sexual harassment, noting that no formal complaints had been received but the media coverage had affected staff, particularly four women in the Information Systems and Management Department. He requested that, under the guidance of the Board of Management, an investigation be conducted and a statement issued to clarify the facts and prevent injustice to parliamentary staff. Procedural Matters and Standing Order 27(2) Question on Prevention of Terrorism Act Justice & Human RightsWomen & ChildrenParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 January 2025 AI summary The Minister presented the 2023 Performance Report of the Department of Ayurveda and the 2023 Report of the Ayurvedic Medical Council, and moved that they be referred to the relevant Committees. He also presented, under Standing Order 119(4), a report on observations and actions taken concerning matters raised by the Committee on Public Accounts, moving its referral to COPA. On behalf of the Minister of Industries and Investment Promotion, he further presented the National Paper Company Annual Report for 2015/2016 and moved that it be referred to the relevant Committee; all motions were agreed to. Papers Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 7 January 2025 AI summary Companies responsible for importing substandard medicines have been identified, and an internal investigation is under way into the importation process. Following a committee report on 66 patients who lost vision after cataract surgery at Nuwara Eliya General Hospital, the Cabinet decided to provide government compensation to the affected patients and to pursue legal action against those responsible for importing the medicine. Oral Question: Government and Private Hospitals Shortage of Medicines and Equipment (Q.238/2024) Public FinanceJustice & Human RightsHealthcare Read →
- 7 January 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa stated that serious irregularities occurred after an established process was disrupted under pressure, making it difficult to quantify an overall loss at this stage. He said individual investigations are underway and that the extent of fraud and corruption will be reported for each case, with Parliament to be kept informed in due course. Oral Question: Government and Private Hospitals Shortage of Medicines and Equipment (Q.238/2024) Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
- 7 January 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that a small number of medical and surgical supplies experience intermittent shortages, noting that supply levels are monitored daily through the “Swasta” IT system rather than through period-based reports. He said the Drug Review Committee continuously reviews procurement and distribution, with planning under way for the 2025 procurement cycle, and acknowledged that uninterrupted supply cannot always be guaranteed due to factors such as global raw material shortages and equipment breakdowns. He added that institutions are authorized to make local purchases during medicine shortages and to obtain private-sector services when tests cannot be performed because of equipment failures. Oral Question: Government and Private Hospitals Shortage of Medicines and Equipment (Q.238/2024) Healthcare Read →
- 7 January 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa stated that the National Medicines Regulatory Authority’s existing laboratory capacity is inadequate for the country’s pharmaceutical quality-testing needs. He said the Government plans to establish a WHO-standard, high-capacity medicines testing laboratory within three years, with a roadmap, plans, and a site already identified, using government funds to address broader issues in the pharmaceutical sector. Oral Question: Software System for Management of Medicine Stocks (Q.236/2024) HealthcarePublic Finance Read →
- 7 January 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa stated that investigations have begun into alleged fraudulent activities by unregistered companies. He said that, following an internal inquiry, relevant findings and complaints are expected to be forwarded to the Criminal Investigation Department. Oral Question: Software System for Management of Medicine Stocks (Q.236/2024) Corruption & Governance ReformJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 7 January 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa said coordination among the NMRA, Medical Supplies Division, SPC, and SPMC is central to improving the medicines supply process. He noted past problems at the NMRA, including a failed technical system, fraud, and a backlog of 2,100 files, of which about 1,200 had been cleared, leaving around 900 pending as of 31 May. He stated that from January, the Government would streamline registration and renewal processes over three months while maintaining due diligence, with the aim of clearing the backlog by March and further expediting work through increased staffing. Oral Question: Software System for Management of Medicine Stocks (Q.236/2024) Public FinanceHealthcare Read →
- 7 January 2025 AI summary Coordination among institutions involved in medical supplies is ongoing, with steps being taken to improve the related data system and maintain services without disruption. The Minister confirmed the use of the Swastha software system and identified procurement issues including limited NMRA-registered suppliers, non-submission of bids, high bid prices, and delayed deliveries. He stated that the Ministry’s Medicines Review Committee, with stakeholder participation and ministerial supervision, is addressing these issues. Oral Question: Software System for Management of Medicine Stocks (Q.236/2024) Public FinanceHealthcare Read →
- 7 January 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa responded to a supplementary question regarding alleged irregularities at the Maharagama Co-operative Rural Bank under Question No. 145/2024. He stated that action was being taken and urged the Member raising the issue to assist the process rather than obstruct it. Oral Question: Government Hospitals in Puttalam District Vacancies (Q.132/2024) Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 7 January 2025 AI summary Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated that while multiple medical systems operate in Sri Lanka, practitioners must be properly registered with the relevant medical councils, and some registration and misuse issues remain. He said claims of 40,000 “quack” doctors may be exaggerated, but acknowledged unregistered practitioners exist and noted that raids are being conducted through Medical Officers of Health. He urged the public to report unregistered practitioners and said the authorities are prepared to take legal action, including cases already filed. Oral Question: Government Hospitals in Puttalam District Vacancies (Q.132/2024) Justice & Human RightsHealthcareLaw & Order Read →
- 7 January 2025 AI summary Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated that projects worth approximately Rs. 69 billion had been halted midstream. He said the Government expects to allocate funds through the Budget to complete a significant portion of those projects, and tabled the answer. Oral Question: Government Hospitals in Puttalam District Vacancies (Q.132/2024) Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →