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- 20 January 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa said the Government would respond to Hon. Ravi Karunanayake’s question on the next sitting day. He stated that the Opposition’s proposed No-Confidence Motion against the Prime Minister related to her education reforms, and that the Government was ready to allocate 22 and 23 January for that debate. If the Opposition did not proceed with the motion, he said the Government would instead move a postponement debate on education reforms on Thursday, with the Universities (Amendment) Bill already scheduled for Friday. Question under Standing Order 27(2): Tourism Performance and Deferral of Ravi Karunanayake Question Parliamentary ProcedureEducation Read →
- 20 January 2026 AI summary The Minister presented several annual reports and follow-up action reports on behalf of other ministers, including reports from universities, energy institutions, and matters concerning finance, education, and the Department of Archaeology. He moved that the university reports be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Labour and Human Resource Development, the energy reports to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development, and the Standing Order 119(4) action reports to the Committee on Public Accounts. Each motion was agreed to by the House. Papers Tabled - Annual Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 January 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the death of 12-year-old Kuganeshan Dinoja in Mullaitivu on 21 December 2025 is under investigation, clarifying that it is recorded as a death rather than a murder. He said preliminary hospital and provincial inquiries have been completed and submitted to the Ministry of Health, with further investigation focused on whether there was negligence by hospital staff. He undertook to provide further information without prejudicing the ongoing inquiry. Questions by Private Notice under Standing Order 27(2) HealthcareJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 9 January 2026 AI summary Time was requested to provide answers to a question raised by Hon. Ravi Karunanayake. Questions by Private Notice under Standing Order 27(2) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 January 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa tabled answers on paddy crop damage in the 2024/25 Maha season. The response stated that 86,929.03 acres of paddy were destroyed, with an expected harvest reduction of 178,433 metric tons, and that 25,673 acres, 38 roods and 3 perches had been replanted. It further reported that Rs. 1,516,458,181.50 had been paid as compensation for the affected acreage, with district-wise details tabled. Oral Questions: Paddy Field Damage and Potato Imports (Q.11, Q.12) Agriculture Read →
- 9 January 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa said broadcast licences are temporary and subject to conditions requiring truthful reporting, especially on national security and public health. He cited a recent television report on human immunoglobulin procurement as misleading and harmful to public confidence in the health system, noting that the outlet later corrected it. He stated that, as Minister of Health and Mass Media, he has a duty to challenge false health-related information, while emphasizing that criticism of the Government itself is not the issue. Oral Question: Department of Government Information (Q.3) HealthcareCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 9 January 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that Harsha Sri Bandara, an SLAS officer, was appointed in line with the historical practice of filling the Director General post of the Department of Government Information through the Administrative Service, and that a media degree is not a requirement for the post. He acknowledged longstanding neglect of the Department and related promotion issues, noting that the Government has provided allocations, begun recruitments, and will address the concerns raised to strengthen the Department’s role in media and government information dissemination. Oral Question: Department of Government Information (Q.3) Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 9 January 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa provided a written answer detailing the establishment, structure, staffing, functions, and leadership of the Department of Government Information. He stated that the Department was established on 31 July 1948, has District Media Units in all District Secretariats, employs 301 staff, and performs government communication, media coordination, publications, documentary production, public awareness, and accreditation functions. He also identified H.S.K.J. Bandara as the relevant official and listed his academic qualifications, adding that part (b) did not arise. Oral Question: Department of Government Information (Q.3) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 January 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, a request was made for two weeks’ time to provide an answer to the question raised. Oral Question: Agricultural Support (Q.1/206/2024) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 January 2026 AI summary On behalf of several ministers, the Minister presented multiple statutory and annual performance reports to Parliament, including reports relating to tourism, agrarian research, the Palmyrah Development Board, commerce, airport and aviation services, and housing and construction-related institutions. He moved that the respective reports be referred to the Committee on Public Accounts or the relevant Sectoral Oversight Committees, and each motion was agreed to. Papers Presented and Committee Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 January 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation, a two-week extension was requested to respond to the question. The question was ordered to stand down. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.1664/2025 through Q.1719/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 January 2026 AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa clarified the roles of the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation and the State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation, stating that SPC imports medicines while SPMC manufactures them. He said SPC imports 464 medical items through the Medical Supplies Division, including the medicine in question from a manufacturer in Himachal Pradesh, India. He acknowledged there had been a shortage but stated that the medicine is currently available in the market. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.117/2024-(2) through Q.1715/2025) HealthcarePublic Finance Read →
- 8 January 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the Government is addressing neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism, through treatment protocols in 20 hospitals and by identifying the need for coordinated caregiving support beyond the health sector. He said inter-ministerial action is required, particularly involving social security, rural development, and women and child affairs authorities. He noted Budget allocations to improve treatment centres and protective care centres, groundwork for a dedicated centre at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital, and plans to establish a dedicated autism-related unit under the Family Health Bureau. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.117/2024-(2) through Q.1715/2025) HealthcareWomen & Children Read →
- 8 January 2026 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa responded to a question on autism services for children, stating that the “Inclusive Early Childhood Development” programme received Cabinet and National Planning Department approval in 2025 after beginning as a pilot in July 2020. He said it is being implemented in six districts, with 55 hospitals across the provinces having paediatric specialists and 20 hospitals operating clinics for conditions including autism. He added that Rs. 200 million was allocated in the 2025 Budget and Rs. 100 million in the 2026 Budget for the programme. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.117/2024-(2) through Q.1715/2025) HealthcareWomen & Children Read →
- 8 January 2026 AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the Government had abolished the MP pension and said there was no issue in responding to the matter raised. He informed the House that an answer would be provided within two weeks. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.117/2024-(2) through Q.1715/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 January 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, a two-week deferral was requested to answer the question. The House ordered the question to stand down. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.117/2024-(2) through Q.1715/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 January 2026 AI summary Security concerns raised by any Member of Parliament should be reported through the proper procedure, and the Government will take action accordingly. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.117/2024-(2) through Q.1715/2025) Security & Defence Read →
- 8 January 2026 AI summary Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the Government provides security to any MP, from either side, when a life threat is reported through the proper procedure and assessed by intelligence authorities. He cited action taken in response to MP Jagath Withana’s case and urged the Opposition Leader to ensure Members notify the Speaker formally rather than raising such matters only in Parliament or the media. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.117/2024-(2) through Q.1715/2025) Parliamentary ProcedureSecurity & Defence Read →
- 8 January 2026 AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa requested two weeks’ time to provide an answer to the question raised. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.117/2024-(2) through Q.1715/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 January 2026 AI summary The Annual Reports for 2021, 2022 and 2023 of the Ceylon/LL Parantan Chemicals Company were presented on behalf of the Minister of Industries and Enterprise Development. It was proposed, and agreed, that the reports be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations. Papers Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →