Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Mahanuwara

Deputy Minister of Health

Profession: Medical Doctor

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 81 #62 of 225·#27 in party

Attendance 8/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

81 speeches

21 May 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Ministry could not provide precise annual figures for Allied Health graduates because aggregate numbers from state, private and foreign institutions are outside its remit. He detailed current vacancies in supplementary health professions and said recruitment action had been initiated through 2024 Gazettes for several cadres, with a proposal to recruit 100 pharmacists awaiting approval. He explained that a common general knowledge and IQ examination was required by the Public Service Commission where applicants exceeded vacancies, while categories with fewer applicants than vacancies could proceed without an exam. He stated that recruitment cannot be limited to state-university graduates, as private and foreign graduates have long been eligible, and said the Ministry remains open to dialogue or re-gazetting to fill posts quickly without disadvantaging candidates. Procedural: Questions on Bank of Ceylon Relief and Allied Health Graduates - Final Business EmploymentHealthcare Read →
21 May 2025 AI summary The Member stated that it would be inappropriate to answer a supplementary question because the primary question was not answered in light of an ongoing court case. He indicated that if the matter is raised in another form, a response could be provided regarding the grants. Oral Question: Director of Jaffna Teaching Hospital Appointment (Q.9/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
21 May 2025 AI summary ICU development projects at nine hospitals, in addition to Kandy, have stalled because the original contractor was unable to proceed amid the financial crisis. Legal action is under way, and the Legal Division is considering whether to retender the projects or permit the company that acquired the contractor to continue them. Necessary financial allocations will be made once that decision is taken. Oral Question: Lady Ridgeway Hospital - Donations for Purchase of Surgical Items (Q.3/2025) Public FinanceHealthcare Read →
21 May 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni stated that equipment and staff shortages are affecting hospital services, citing reduced neurosurgical operations at the National Hospital and similar issues at Lady Ridgeway Hospital. He said funds have been allocated for equipment procurement, including for Lady Ridgeway, and that administrative action is being taken to deploy doctors, nurses, and other staff to units with shortages. He also noted discussions to use the President’s Fund to support operations outside regular hours. Oral Question: Lady Ridgeway Hospital - Donations for Purchase of Surgical Items (Q.3/2025) Healthcare Read →
21 May 2025 AI summary Donations of Rs. 1,188,700 were received in 2024 for the Neurosurgical Unit to purchase a neurosurgical endoscopy machine, but the funds remain unused because the machine costs about Rs. 45 million. The Deputy Minister stated that procurement will proceed once full funding is available, and that discussions are under way to channel future donations through the Health Development Fund for proper utilization. Oral Question: Lady Ridgeway Hospital - Donations for Purchase of Surgical Items (Q.3/2025) HealthcarePublic Finance Read →
21 May 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media tabled the 2023 Annual Report of the State Pharmaceutical Corporation of Ayurveda on behalf of the Minister. He proposed that it be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health, Mass Media and Women’s Empowerment, and the House agreed. Papers - Annual Reports Tabling Parliamentary ProcedureHealthcare Read →
20 May 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Health and Mass Media, the Deputy Minister requested one week’s time to respond to the question before the House. The question was ordered to stand down. Oral Questions: Question Nos. 1-6 Parliamentary Procedure Read →
20 May 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media presented, on behalf of the Minister, a report under Standing Order 119(4) on observations and action taken regarding matters of the Ministry in relation to a Committee on Public Accounts report. He moved that the report be referred to the Committee on Public Accounts, and the motion was agreed to. Papers Presented and Committee Reports Parliamentary Procedure Read →
11 March 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Hansaka Wijemuni reported an incident at Anuradhapura General Hospital involving a female doctor while on duty and said the Government, Police, security agencies, and Health Ministry had taken immediate action. He stated that hospital security had been strengthened, the suspect had been identified with arrest preparations underway, and senior officials had been sent to assess necessary corrective measures. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Law & OrderHealthcare Read →
7 March 2025 AI summary Heavy rains in November 2024 caused temporary flooding near Quarter No. 08 of Puttalam Base Hospital, with the water receding within two days. The Deputy Minister stated that the hospital has an existing wastewater drainage system but requires improvements, and that the National Water Supply and Drainage Board has prepared an estimate for upgrading the soakage system. Funding for the work is to be provided under the 2025 Provincial Specific Development Grants. Oral Question: Base Hospital, Puttalam: Drainage System (Q.292/2024) HealthcareInfrastructure Read →
7 March 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that private medical centres and hospitals are required to register with the Health Ministry and comply with provisions on medicine management. He said registration had lagged due to factors including trade union pressure, making regulation more difficult, but that registrations have recently increased and guidelines are being followed more. He acknowledged the need for stronger regulation of private healthcare institutions and said the Ministry is working toward it. Oral Question: Shortage of Pharmacists and External Pharmacist Examination (Q.492/2025) Healthcare Read →
7 March 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that while proposed measures can be reviewed, the Government maintains that enforceable laws are necessary. Oral Question: Shortage of Pharmacists and External Pharmacist Examination (Q.492/2025) HealthcareLaw & Order Read →
7 March 2025 AI summary Medicines are regulated according to risk, with over-the-counter drugs available without prescription, prescription medicines requiring a registered medical practitioner’s authorization, and narcotics subject to special prescription and storage controls. The Deputy Minister said these safeguards are necessary to protect the public, while noting that concerns about proportionality could be considered. Oral Question: Shortage of Pharmacists and External Pharmacist Examination (Q.492/2025) Healthcare Read →
7 March 2025 AI summary As a reply on behalf of the Minister of Health and Mass Media, the Deputy Minister stated that Sri Lanka has 5,200 registered pharmacies and 8,521 registered pharmacists across the public and private sectors. He explained that Section 120 of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act requires each pharmacy to have a qualified responsible pharmacist and that about 200 pharmacy licence renewals are on hold because some applicants are employed elsewhere and cannot serve full-time. He said a committee was appointed on 10 January 2025 to address private sector pharmacist shortages, and noted that about 100 of 1,487 candidates passed all components of the 2023 External Pharmacist Examination, a pass rate of around 6.7 per cent. Oral Question: Shortage of Pharmacists and External Pharmacist Examination (Q.492/2025) Healthcare Read →
6 March 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Hansaka Wijemuni acknowledged difficulties faced by doctors and PGIM trainees, including limited career development pathways, frequent rotations across specialties, long working hours, travel burdens, administrative delays and lack of accommodation. He said the Ministry is pursuing an intermediate or middle-grade medical cadre, initially discussed for anaesthesia, ICU, neurosurgery and cardiothoracic surgery, in consultation with professional colleges, universities and the PGIM. He stated that administrative processes for trainees could be streamlined without additional funding, while quarters or hired accommodation should be provided, and overtime allowance issues would require Cabinet approval. He added that committees had been appointed to advance discussions, amend Service Minutes if necessary, and develop a faster solution. Adjournment Motion: Challenges Faced by Medical Specialists (Postgraduate Trainees) EmploymentHealthcare Read →
6 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni said the Budget prioritises health sector infrastructure, human resources, medicines and equipment, and research, while also addressing retirees, vulnerable children, persons with mental health conditions, and prisoners. He outlined plans to improve staff and patient facilities, reduce surgical waiting lists using the Presidential Fund, strengthen health information systems, and ensure equitable hospital development based on national need. He said recruitments and training are being expedited after recent staffing shortages, and that the Budget increases basic salaries across health professions rather than relying on allowances. On medicines, he stated that 2025 orders had been secured, the 2026 tender cycle had begun, and weekly Drug Review Committee meetings and contingency arrangements were in place to anticipate and manage shortages. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Public FinanceHealthcare Read →
6 March 2025 AI summary The member rejected the validity of documents being presented, stating that such reports are not issued and urging others not to bring arbitrary papers to the House. He added that members present understand the subject under discussion. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Parliamentary Procedure Read →
19 February 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister defended the Government’s first Budget as a people-centred and structured programme, highlighting allocations for neglected groups and the health sector’s record Rs. 604 billion allocation. He said the Government is addressing medicine and equipment shortages, hospital queues, health staff facilities, transfers, allowances, training issues, and professional migration through short-, medium-, and long-term measures, including improved data systems and primary care development. He also stated that public sector salaries and related allowances have been substantially increased after nine years, with tax burdens on professionals reduced, and said the impact would be visible in salaries by early April. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Second Reading Public FinanceEmploymentHealthcare Read →
5 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijeyamuni outlined measures to strengthen the health sector, including upgrading apex hospitals, addressing shortages of staff and physical resources, and improving opportunities for professional development. He said the Ministry is taking steps to prevent medicine shortages by expediting procurement, initiating 2026 tender processes early, and strengthening institutions such as the NMRA, SPC and SPMC. He also referred to the establishment of the NMRA National Advisory Council and Appeals Committee, activation of medicine pricing mechanisms, and restarting public health programmes such as avoidable blindness prevention that had been halted. He said the Government is working to standardize clinical protocols, improve hospital services, and prevent recurrence of past pharmaceutical procurement issues, including those linked to human immunoglobulin. Adjournment Debate: Monaragala Health Sector Issues Healthcare Read →
5 February 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Hansaka Wijemuni seconded the Adjournment Motion on health services, noting Monaragala’s poor health indicators and the Government’s objective of ensuring equal access to healthcare. He outlined the need to improve treatment services through efficiency, safety, timeliness, fairness and transparency, while also recognising neglected areas such as palliative care. He stated that amendments may be needed to strengthen regulation of private healthcare and said the Government intends to reform treatment services by building a stronger primary care system based on a family doctor model. Adjournment Debate: Monaragala Health Sector Issues Healthcare Read →