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- 3 March 2026 AI summary The Chair noted that responding in this manner is not the usual practice of Parliament. He stated that the Minister of Fisheries would provide a response as an exception, while emphasizing that it should not be treated as a precedent. Oral Question: Agricultural Research and Production Assistants (Q.913/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 3 March 2026 AI summary Moved that a report be printed, which was agreed to and ordered by Parliament. On behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, presented under Standing Order 119(4) a report on observations and actions taken regarding matters raised by the Committee on Public Accounts, and moved that it be referred to that Committee; the motion was agreed to. Papers: Regulations, Reports and Orders Tabled Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 February 2026 AI summary Nalinda Jayatissa defended the Government’s coal procurement for the Norochcholai/Lakvijaya Power Plant, contrasting it with past practices of cancelled tenders and Cabinet-awarded purchases to preferred suppliers. He said the 2025 process registered 26 international suppliers, allowed 28 days for bids, received 10 bids, and included an appeal period with no objections lodged. He explained that coal quality is assessed through load port and discharge port reports, with penalties imposed for deviations, and noted past penalty amounts under previous years’ supplies. He rejected Opposition allegations regarding corruption and bank accounts, challenged them to provide specific evidence, and suggested the criticism was linked to the unsuccessful bidder. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Corruption & Governance ReformPublic FinanceInfrastructure Read →
- 20 February 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa responded to a matter raised by Hon. Marikkar, asking him to specify the HNB Homagama bank account name and number in question. He stated that the Government would disclose all relevant facts once those details were provided. Adjournment Motion: Issues Relating to the Power Sector (Coal Procurement for Norochcholai) Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 20 February 2026 AI summary The Chief Government Whip moved that Parliament adjourn, after which the Chair put the question before the House. The Adjournment Motion was then scheduled to be moved by Hon. S.M. Marikkar, who was allotted 18 minutes. Motion on Parliamentary Sitting Hours Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 February 2026 AI summary The Chief Government Whip moved, on behalf of the Leader of the House, to vary the day’s sitting hours notwithstanding 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., applied Standing Order 8(5) at 11.30 a.m., and required adjournment at 5.30 p.m.; it was agreed to by the House. Motion on Parliamentary Sitting Hours Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 February 2026 AI summary Chief Government Whip Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said the Minister of Public Security had sought time to present information related to criminal investigations. Responding to the Leader of the Opposition, he stated that no new information had been provided and invited him to take time to present any additional details if available. Clarifications and Supplementary Questions; Matters of Order and Privilege Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 February 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa addresses the Deputy Speaker, but no substantive remarks, arguments, proposals, or questions are provided in the excerpt. No legislation, policy matter, or specific parliamentary issue is identified. Clarifications and Supplementary Questions; Matters of Order and Privilege Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 February 2026 AI summary Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the requested answer would be provided in the next sitting week. He noted that the Member could raise supplementary questions at that time. Question by Private Notice: Current Status of SriLankan Airlines Restructure Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 February 2026 AI summary Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the Government aims to uphold parliamentary traditions and maximize democratic practice by encouraging Ministers to answer Standing Order 27(2) questions on the same day where possible. He noted that some questions require data from multiple ministries, but said replies are being expedited, including two answers to be given that day under Ministerial Statements. Question by Private Notice: Current Status of SriLankan Airlines Restructure Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 February 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, a request was made for two weeks to provide the answer to the question. The question was ordered to stand down. Oral Questions on Tourism, Agriculture and Deferred Question (Q.883/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 February 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa provided data showing agricultural employment declined from 28.7% in 2015 to 26.0% in 2024, while services employment rose to 48.5%, attributing the shift to expanded industry and services opportunities, higher education, and instability in agriculture. He said the Government is implementing the “Dawn of Revival” food crop promotion programme under the “A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life” policy framework, covering rice production, seed security, mechanization, soil nutrient management, protected-house cultivation, value addition and selected food crops. He also cited a Rs. 750 million 2026 credit line for youth entrepreneurs and Department of Agriculture programmes through youth farmer organizations, school clubs, training, technology promotion and market linkage initiatives to attract young people to agriculture. Oral Questions on Tourism, Agriculture and Deferred Question (Q.883/2025) AgricultureEmployment Read →
- 20 February 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that tourism development is being pursued islandwide rather than limited to a few regions, and confirmed that a programme is in place. He listed numerous identified tourism sites in the Puttalam District, including Kalpitiya, Chilaw, Wilpattu, Anawilundawa, Munneswaram, beaches, religious and archaeological sites, and nature-based attractions. He outlined ongoing and planned measures, including the North Western Province Tourism Master Plan, beach park and road infrastructure projects, sanitation facilities, lifeguard and guide training, the “Discover Kalpitiya” website, and proposed ADB-supported and environmental tourism zone developments. Oral Questions on Tourism, Agriculture and Deferred Question (Q.883/2025) InfrastructureForeign Affairs Read →
- 20 February 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that current controversy could have been avoided if cases from the 2015–2020 period had been properly prosecuted. He also requested order in the House so he could read out answers, and asked Hon. Ajith P. Perera to be seated. Oral Question: Drug Raids and Asset Seizures (Q.1649/2025) Parliamentary ProcedureJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 20 February 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Environment, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa requested one month to provide an answer to the question. The question was ordered to stand down. Oral Questions: Deferred and Stand Down (Q.4, Q.5, Q.6) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 February 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Civil Aviation, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa requested a two-week postponement to respond to the question. The question was ordered to stand down. Oral Questions: Deferred and Stand Down (Q.4, Q.5, Q.6) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 February 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the public is well aware of the Fund and of Hon. Lalith Athulathmudali’s role in establishing it. He emphasized that leaders who created lasting institutions will continue to receive due recognition and respect. Oral Question: Mahapola Trust Fund (Q.472/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 February 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa acknowledged the value of the Mahapola Scholarship Fund established under Hon. Lalith Athulathmudali and noted that many Members may have benefited from it. He stated that the Minister of Trade, as a member of the Mahapola Trust Fund, would provide a response later, and that he would convey the Member’s proposal to him. Oral Question: Mahapola Trust Fund (Q.472/2025) Education Read →
- 20 February 2026 AI summary The Minister, on behalf of the Minister of Trade, provided details on the Lalith Athulathmudali Mahapola Trust Fund in response to Question No. 472/2025, including the current Board of Trustees, their appointing authorities under the amended Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship Trust Fund Act, and the Fund’s value of Rs. 21.6 billion as at 31 December 2025. He tabled income, expenditure, scholarship payment, and recipient data, noting annual Fund income estimates of Rs. 4.768 billion in 2025, scholarship expenditure of Rs. 2.215 billion up to November 2025, and 19,500 scholarships awarded in 2025. He stated that 418,637 students had received Mahapola scholarships from 1981 to 2025, and that detailed annexes with annual accounts and scholarship numbers were tabled and placed in the Library. Oral Question: Mahapola Trust Fund (Q.472/2025) EducationPublic Finance Read →
- 20 February 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa moved, with the Speaker’s leave, that the relevant report be printed. The House agreed to the motion, and the report was ordered to be printed. Sectoral Oversight Committee Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →