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- 17 March 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa requested two weeks to provide an answer to the question raised. The question was accordingly ordered to stand down. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1 to Q.7 and Standing Order 27(2) questions) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 17 March 2026 AI summary Moved to refer Defence Ministry regulations under the Army, Navy and Air Force Acts, published in February 2025 Gazettes, to the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Defence, and the House agreed. Also presented, on behalf of the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, the 2026 list of prohibited substances under the Convention Against Doping in Sport Act and moved its referral to the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Youth Affairs and Sports, which was also agreed to. Tabling of Reports and Papers Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 5 March 2026 AI summary The Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip moved the adjournment of Parliament. The Speaker then proposed the question on the motion. Adjournment: National Care Policy and International Women's Day Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 5 March 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa moved a procedural motion, on behalf of the Leader of the House, to vary the day’s sitting hours despite Standing Order 88. The motion set sittings from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 1.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., scheduled Standing Order 8(5) for 11.30 a.m., and provided for adjournment at 5.30 p.m.; it was agreed to by the House. Procedural: Motion on Sitting Hours Extension Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 5 March 2026 AI summary The Government stated that the President, Security Council, and relevant authorities are fully briefed on the ship-related issue near Sri Lanka’s EEZ and are taking steps to resolve it while minimizing loss of life and protecting regional peace. It clarified that the vessel is not within Sri Lankan territorial waters and said humanitarian interventions are being maximized, with a detailed report to be presented to Parliament after the process is completed. Procedural: Indian Ocean Security Matter and Parliamentary Debate on Sovereignty Security & DefenceForeign Affairs Read →
- 5 March 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa urged MPs and political leaders to make responsible statements amid escalating conflict in the Middle East and avoid speculation or inflammatory remarks about maritime incidents. He explained Sri Lanka’s jurisdiction within territorial waters and the EEZ, stating that the incident 19 nautical miles off Galle was handled first as a humanitarian search-and-rescue operation, with 32 injured brought ashore and 87 bodies recovered. He said the Government was obtaining freezer containers due to limited hospital capacity and would continue acting under international law to save lives, support regional peace in the Indian Ocean, and update Parliament as more information becomes available. Procedural: Indian Ocean Security Matter and Parliamentary Debate on Sovereignty Security & DefenceForeign Affairs Read →
- 5 March 2026 AI summary Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa remarks that a named individual is among the genuine owners and leaders of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, identifying him as the party’s National Organizer. Procedural: Indian Ocean Security Matter and Parliamentary Debate on Sovereignty Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 5 March 2026 AI summary The Minister indicated readiness to provide a response on the matter if required by the House. Procedural: Indian Ocean Security Matter and Parliamentary Debate on Sovereignty Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 4 March 2026 AI summary Committees and their membership are governed by Standing Orders, with both Government and Opposition submitting their respective nominees. The Chairmanship is appointed by the majority, which was described as the established procedure known to the Opposition. Debate: Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill - Second Reading Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 4 March 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the Special Select Committee is ready to be convened during the current week. Procedural: Personal Explanation and Special Select Committee Announcement Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 4 March 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa asked the Speaker when the relevant names had been sent. Procedural: Personal Explanation and Special Select Committee Announcement Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 4 March 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa questioned the delay in appointing a Special Select Committee on the “Ditva” cyclone. He noted that the Opposition had requested action, 29 Members including the Leader of the Opposition had signed a motion on 21 January, and the Government Whips’ Office had submitted nominees to the Secretary-General on 5 February. Procedural: Personal Explanation and Special Select Committee Announcement Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 4 March 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that he would urgently investigate the matter raised by Hon. Radhakrishnan and report back to Parliament. Oral Questions: Paddy Marketing Board and Fertilizer Subsidies Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 4 March 2026 AI summary The Minister explained that the Government Printer appointment was made under the applicable Service Minute, which allows selection either from qualified senior Printing Service officers or from a Special Grade Sri Lanka Administrative Service officer. He said the current senior departmental officer is far short of the required progression period for substantive appointment and could only be appointed in an acting capacity with Public Service Commission concurrence. Accordingly, the Government appointed a qualified and experienced SLAS Special Grade officer to the post. Oral Question: Government Printing Department Vacancies and Qualifications Public FinanceParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 4 March 2026 AI summary Moved to print a report and tabled several annual and performance reports on behalf of other ministers, including Gal Oya Plantations (Private) Company for 2019/2020 and 2020/2021, the Ministry of Technology Performance Report for 2023, and the Sri Lanka Climate Fund (Private) Limited Annual Report for 2023. He requested that these reports be referred to the relevant Sectoral Oversight Committees on economic development, science and technology, and environment, and the motions were agreed to. Papers: Annual Reports and Auditor-General's Report Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 3 March 2026 AI summary Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the Government had already answered questions regarding coal supplies from Russia, South Africa and Indonesia, and that local agents did not need to be present in Parliament for such matters. He said the coal shipment schedule had been clarified up to mid-April, including the expected arrival of the 25th ship, and that the Government was prepared to respond to queries on each shipment. Privilege Question and Procedural Discussion on Coal Supply Public Finance Read →
- 3 March 2026 AI summary Nalinda Jayatissa said any alleged breach of the Leader of the Opposition’s privilege was a matter for the Speaker to inquire into. He noted that a full-day debate on coal supply had already been held on 20 February and said the Government was prepared to answer further questions, including under Standing Order 27(2), through the relevant line Ministries. He added that the only outstanding matter was the name and account number of a Homagama People’s Bank account referred to by Hon. Marrikkar, which had not yet been provided. Privilege Question and Procedural Discussion on Coal Supply Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 3 March 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that Sri Lanka has 43,553 nurses, which is insufficient for current service demand, and said the Government is addressing shortages through accelerated recruitment after completion of required training. He reported that 3,441 nurses had already been appointed, 517 graduate recruits would receive substantive appointments next month, and about 2,900 more trainees are expected to join by early October, bringing the total additions to about 6,800. He also outlined planned trainee intakes from recent A/L cohorts, the resumption of Nursing Sister and Public Health Nursing Officer training, and steps to fill Matron vacancies through the Public Service Commission and provincial processes. Oral Question: Nursing Service (Q.7/2025) EmploymentHealthcare Read →
- 3 March 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa said the Government is working to induct graduates into nursing and create a pathway for diploma-trained nurses to upgrade to degree level. He stated that discussions began in September-November 2024 under the then Health portfolio held by the Prime Minister, and that a joint Education/Higher Education and Health committee is handling the matter. He noted that the process involves upgrading existing nursing schools to degree-awarding status, improving staff and facilities, and establishing frameworks for absorbing graduates into the public service, but said no exact timeline can yet be given. Oral Question: Nursing Service (Q.7/2025) HealthcareEducation Read →
- 3 March 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa answered a question on the Nursing Service, stating that it formally began in 1939 with structured nursing education at the Colombo School of Nursing and that, as at 30 September 2025, Sri Lanka had 43,553 nurses across central and provincial services. He outlined nurses’ core functions, recruitment criteria for A/L-qualified and graduate entrants, district and stream-based selection methods, and gender quotas. He also detailed post-basic training programmes and further education opportunities, including nursing degrees, study leave, and lateral entry to universities. Oral Question: Nursing Service (Q.7/2025) HealthcareEducationEmployment Read →