Sitting of Tuesday, 7 January 2025

Order of business

Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.

1. 1 Opening Opening: Announcements and Parliamentary Staff Introductions 21 speeches ▸
2. 2 Papers Papers: Tabling of Annual Reports and Regulations 5 speeches ▸
3. 3 Committee report Committee Report: Public Finance Committee on Mid-Year Fiscal Position 3 speeches ▸
4. 4 Opening Opening Statement: Leader of the Opposition 1 speeches ▸
5. 5 Oral question Oral Question: Government Hospitals in Puttalam District Vacancies (Q.132/2024) 9 speeches ▸
6. 6 Oral question Oral Question: Maharagama Multi-purpose Co-operative Societies (Q.233/2024) 5 speeches ▸
7. 7 Oral question Oral Question: Bandaragama Central Secondary School Development (Continuation of earlier question) 5 speeches ▸
8. 8 Oral question Oral Question: Economic Projections and Key Development Sectors (Q.234/2024) 7 speeches ▸
9. 9 Oral question Oral Question: Landslide Risk Districts and Disaster Compensation (Q.235/2024) 5 speeches ▸
10. 10 Oral question Oral Question: Software System for Management of Medicine Stocks (Q.236/2024) 7 speeches ▸
11. 11 Oral question Oral Question: Government and Private Hospitals Shortage of Medicines and Equipment (Q.238/2024) 7 speeches ▾
    • Government and Private Hospitals: Shortage of Medicines and Equipment

      AI summary A question was raised regarding shortages of medicines and medical equipment in government and private hospitals under Question for Oral Answer No. 238/2024. The matter sought clarification on the current availability of essential supplies and any measures being taken to address shortages affecting healthcare services.

      Healthcare Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB

      AI summary Asked the Minister of Health and Mass Media whether the Government is aware of shortages of medicines, surgical and medical equipment, laboratory testing tools, and radioactive examination equipment in public and private hospitals. He requested details of any current availability and shortage reports, plans to ensure uninterrupted supply until the end of 2025, possible future shortages, and procurement or risk-mitigation measures.

      Healthcare Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa JJB

      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.

      Healthcare Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB

      AI summary Dr. Nishantha Samaraweera raised concerns about past shortcomings in the procurement of medicines and the need for stronger controls within the Ministry of Health. He asked whether the Ministry would conduct a comprehensive review of cancelled tenders, incomplete procurement processes, and medicine imports, and present a report to Parliament on the resulting financial loss to the country and the impact on the public.

      Public FinanceHealthcareCorruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa JJB

      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.

      Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB

      AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera raised a supplementary question on reported blindness and deaths linked to medicines used at Peradeniya Teaching Hospital, Nuwara Eliya District General Hospital and the National Eye Hospital. He urged that institutions and importers responsible for the problematic medicine imports be blacklisted, penalized, and made to reimburse the State, seeking government intervention to prevent recurrence.

      HealthcareJustice & Human Rights Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa JJB

      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.

      Justice & Human RightsPublic FinanceHealthcare Full speech →
12. 12 Oral question Oral Question: Proposed Flyover over Kirulapona Junction Funding (Q.242/2024) 7 speeches ▸
13. 13 Oral question Oral Question: Persons Responsible for Easter Attack Prosecution (Q.251/2024) 5 speeches ▸
14. 14 Oral question Oral Question: Death of Pigs Due to Epidemic Disease and Procedural Matters (Q.187/2024) 20 speeches ▸
15. 15 Procedural Procedural: Amendment to Sitting Hours and Adjournment Motion 3 speeches ▸
16. 16 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: 2024 Mid-Year Fiscal Position Report 100 speeches ▸
17. 17 Oral question Oral Question: Proposed Domestic Airport in Digana Area (Q. unspecified) 2 speeches ▸