Sitting of Wednesday, 5 February 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1739175806099814 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
Order of business
Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.
- 1 Opening Opening: Parliament Meeting and Presidential Message 1 speeches
- 2 Papers Papers: Auditor-General's Reports - Printing Order 1 speeches
- 3 Procedural Procedural: Provincial Councils Elections (Special Provisions) Bill - Supreme Court Determination Status 13 speeches
- 4 Papers Papers: Tabling of Reports and Orders 11 speeches
- 5 Petitions Petitions: Three Petitions Presented 3 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Question: President's Fund Distribution (Q.288/2024) 7 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Question: Coconut Production Decline (Q.290/2024) 10 speeches
- 8 Oral question Oral Question: Coconut Oil Import Policy (Q.291/2024) 6 speeches
- 9 Oral question Oral Question: Export Growth and Economic Competitiveness (Q.292/2024) 11 speeches
- 10 Oral question Oral Question: Sri Lanka Electricity Act Amendments (Q.293/2024) 7 speeches
- 11 Oral question Oral Question: People's Bank - Corporate Governance and Operations (Q.294/2024) 9 speeches
- 12 Oral question Oral Question: UDA Housing Units and Deed Distribution (Q.295/2024) 13 speeches
- 13 Oral question Oral Question: COVID-19 Health Guidelines (Q.249/2024) 2 speeches
- 14 Procedural Procedural: Privilege Questions and Sitting Time Motion 26 speeches
- 15 Procedural Procedural: Sitting Time Amendment Motion 1 speeches
- 16 Procedural Procedural: Committee Composition and Debate Commencement 5 speeches
- 17 Debate Debate: Regulations on Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Foreign Exchange Act 47 speeches
- 18 Adjournment Adjournment Debate: Monaragala Health Sector Issues 65 speeches
- The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB
AI summary Ruwan Wijeweera moved a motion urging a formal action plan under a National Health Policy to address congestion, facilities, service quality, staffing, equipment, and standards in OPD services in State and private hospitals. He linked current health-sector problems to past governance failures, citing staff shortages, professional emigration, substandard medicines, and the Nuwara Eliya eye surgery cases, and said the Government would compensate the 17 affected patients. He also referred to measures including expanding access to the President’s Fund through Divisional Secretariats, providing special allowances for additional surgeries beyond duty hours, and strengthening the National Medicines Regulatory Authority under Act No. 5 of 2015 to ensure quality medicines.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni - Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media JJB
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.
Healthcare Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijeyamuni JJB
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.
Healthcare Full speech → - The Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara criticized the Government and Opposition for discussing problems in hospital services without presenting a concrete plan to address overcrowded OPDs, staffing shortages, equipment issues, and standards in private OPDs. He demanded disclosure of President’s Fund payments to Members of Parliament from 2004 onward, stating that his request to the Presidential Secretariat had not been fulfilled and that he had filed an appeal. He also began raising concerns about pharmaceutical supply and regulatory coordination, referring to the need for the Medical Supplies Division, NMRA, State Pharmaceuticals Corporation, and State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation to work together.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB
AI summary Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera began to respond to a point made by Hon. Dayasiri, but the provided speech excerpt is incomplete and contains no substantive argument, proposal, question, or policy position to summarize.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara objected to an interruption and requested the opportunity to continue speaking. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or legislative matter was addressed in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB
AI summary Ruwan Wijeweera responded to a reference to his name, stating that the former Government had taken action in relation to the incident where 17 patients lost their sight. He said full compensation was paid and that steps were taken to restore and strengthen the National Medicines Regulatory Authority.
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara questioned the Presiding Member’s handling of proceedings, asking what the action or decision in question meant. He emphasized that the Presiding Member is an attorney and challenged the procedural basis of what was being done.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB
AI summary Ruwan Wijeweera stated that he was intervening because his name had been mentioned in the debate.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB
AI summary Ajith P. Perera raised a brief point of order or query, questioning the proceedings taking place in the Chamber. No specific policy issue, proposal, or legislative matter was elaborated.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised a procedural objection, stating that a Member who claims a point of order should clearly identify it. He argued that the Member should not continue speaking repeatedly after already having spoken.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara objected to interruptions during his speech and clarified that he had only responded to another Member’s interjection by name. He urged the Chair, Kaushalya Ariyarathne, to refer to the Standing Orders and maintain order so that he could continue without unrelated interruptions.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake directly questioned whether money had been obtained from the President’s Fund. He demanded a clear confirmation or denial on the matter.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara’s speech consists only of an address to the Presiding Member, with no substantive argument, proposal, question, or policy position recorded in the provided text.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake briefly intervened during the sitting, addressing the Presiding Member and referring to another Member. The extract is too limited to identify a substantive argument, proposal, question, or policy issue.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara responds to an apparent accusation or challenge by referring to past political efforts to change or form governments. He cites his role and that of others in helping bring Mahinda Rajapaksa to the presidency and later supporting the 2015 Maithripala Sirisena–Ranil Wickremesinghe administration, framing the exchange within claims about responsibility for political transitions.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake contrasted past political support for Mahinda Rajapaksa with allegations of taking money from the President’s Fund. He questioned the conduct of those involved and accused them of acting without shame.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara objected to interruptions during his allotted speaking time and called on the Leader of the House to maintain order. He criticized those referring to a “76-year curse,” alleging that some of them were responsible for destruction during the 1988–1989 period.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake asked whether money had been taken from Arjun Aloysius, framing the intervention as a direct question likely referencing allegations connected to the bond scam controversy.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake challenged another member in Parliament, asking whether their name appeared in relation to the President’s Fund. He demanded that the member state whether they had received money from the Fund.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara briefly stated that he had not taken something from another person. The remark appears to be a clarification or denial in response to an earlier exchange, without further policy or legislative content.
Justice & Human Rights Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake challenged an earlier statement by another Member, asking whether they had received money from the President’s Fund. He noted an apparent inconsistency, stating that the Member had previously said they had taken funds but had then denied it.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara stated that he had received money from the President’s Fund. No further context, explanation, or proposal was provided in the speech.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake briefly responded by noting that the previous speaker had made two specific points. No substantive policy position, proposal, or demand was developed in this intervention.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake alleged misuse of state funds and criticized others for accusing opponents of theft while engaging in such conduct. His remark was a brief intervention challenging the credibility of those making corruption allegations.
Corruption & Governance Reform Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara challenged claims that Members receiving assistance from the President’s Fund constituted misuse of state funds, asking for proof if such allegations were made. He also questioned the Government’s earlier position on abolishing the President’s Fund and similar funds, noting that it now appeared to say abolition was not possible.
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara briefly sought the floor and asked the Minister of Health to sit down so he could proceed. He indicated he was about to raise a “second matter,” but no substantive issue or proposal is contained in the provided excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB
AI summary Asked how much financial assistance an ordinary person receives from the President’s Fund for heart surgery, contrasting it with a payment of Rs. 1 million received by the addressee. The intervention sought clarification on the level of support provided to the general public under the Fund.
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara acknowledged receiving Rs. 500,000 from the President’s Fund and challenged others to prove that an MP is prohibited from receiving such funds. He directed his remarks to the Minister of Health and objected to interruptions during his statement.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara referred to the Government’s inability to provide rice and mentioned that there had been four rice tenders. Part of his remarks was expunged on the order of the Chair.
Cost of Living Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe JJB
AI summary Wasantha Samarasinghe questioned the disparity between benefits received by Members of Parliament and those provided to the public. He argued that MPs receiving large sums through political power while people receive comparatively little amounts to misuse of power for personal benefit.
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara criticized the Government’s handling of rice procurement and distribution, alleging that unresolved tender issues had prevented rice from reaching the public. He urged the relevant Ministry to manage the matter properly and ensure rice is provided to people in need.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara alleged that Rs. 187 million had been stolen in relation to rice under the Government, stating that he had first raised the matter in Parliament and that further revelations would follow. He challenged the Government to provide answers on rice-related issues and requested additional speaking time due to interruptions.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised concerns about the health sector, citing the absence of a proper national plan for hospital equipment and staffing across different levels of hospitals. He called for a committee and early action on patient safety and well-being regulations, and proposed integrating the Medical Supplies Division, NMRA, SPC and SPMC to improve medicine regulation, referring to a disputed mouthwash tender involving a previously surcharged supplier. He also requested a replacement phaco machine for Kuliyapitiya Hospital due to a cataract surgery backlog, and urged amendments to Ayurveda legislation to protect traditional medical practitioners alongside Ayurveda and Unani systems.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the company involved in supplying chlorhexidine mouthwash was not blacklisted, but a previous supply default had been identified by the SPC, leading to cancellation of the tender and referral to the Technical Evaluation Committee to award it to the second lowest bidder. He said the SPC Chairman had complained to the CID regarding possible improper media conduct, and that an inquiry was ongoing. He also said the Public Service Commission had ordered the interdiction and inquiry of a doctor for allegedly violating the Establishments Code by campaigning for the SJB without resigning from a senior public service post.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam highlighted acute health staffing shortages in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, linking them to post-war service demands, and requested action within the year to ease shortages. He welcomed the Health Ministry’s 2025 hospital management manual for Divisional Hospitals and PMCUs and asked that similar guidance be issued for all hospital levels, while also calling for SPC branches in every district amid drug shortages. He further requested tax concessions for imported Siddha medicines, funds to complete the stalled Vavuniya Accident and Emergency Unit, appointment of trained pharmacists in government facilities, and special attention to deficiencies at Thirukkovil Hospital and Mullaitivu District General Hospital.
Healthcare Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Sandaruwan Madarasinghe JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Sandaruwan Madarasinghe argued that Sri Lanka’s free public health system has been underfunded and poorly planned by previous governments, citing stagnant health expenditure as a share of GDP, unfinished facilities at Tangalle Hospital, long queues, and severe staff shortages caused by migration and attrition. He referred to the alleged counterfeit rituximab scandal and the no-confidence motion against former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, naming MPs who supported him. He said the Government intends to increase health funding in the forthcoming Budget, recruit about 10,000 trained health workers, invite specialists and doctors to return, and implement a medicine price-control mechanism after Attorney General review.
- The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB
AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka raised urgent concerns about Karapitiya National Hospital in Galle, noting its role as a major Southern Province referral centre serving large daily patient numbers from several districts. He said the hospital’s angiography machine had been out of service since 5 December due to an unreplaced tube, causing delays for cardiac patients and forcing some to seek costly private care, and asked the Minister to expedite repairs and review the earlier procurement of an additional machine. He also highlighted that only three of the hospital’s 11 ambulances were operational and called for procedural delays in repairs to be addressed while maintaining safeguards against corruption.
- The Hon. Wasantha Pushpa Kumara JJB
AI summary Hon. Wasantha Pushpa Kumara linked the debate to the principle that health is a fundamental right under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and said this underpins Sri Lanka’s health policy. He challenged an Opposition claim that state funds had not been misused by citing a 2018 Daily FT report that Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara had admitted in Parliament to receiving a Rs. 1 million cheque from a Perpetual Group-linked company.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB
AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara rejected allegations based on media reports, asserting that a CID statement made under the current Government found he had not received money from companies linked to Arjun Aloysius. He challenged others to repeat the allegation outside Parliament, indicating he would pursue legal action, and urged that Parliament not be used for such accusations.
Justice & Human Rights Full speech → - The Hon. Wasantha Pushpa Kumara JJB
AI summary Hon. Wasantha Pushpa Kumara argued that longstanding failures in health policy had left hospitals with inadequate infrastructure, staffing shortages, and poor retention of specialists and other health workers. He said the Government is expanding cardiac and cancer treatment capacity through new cath labs and ADB-funded linear accelerators, and cited severe specialist shortages in several Ratnapura District hospitals. He stated that relief measures such as raising the PAYE threshold, increasing allowances, updating outdated cadre requirements, and recruiting trained allied health personnel are intended to improve the health service in line with the Government’s policy declaration.
- The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB
AI summary Hon. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna highlighted shortages of consultants, nurses, medicines, equipment and services in the health sector, citing needs at Matale, Laggala, Hettipola and estate hospitals, and requested staffing, completion of the CKD facility and attention to orthopaedic equipment. She questioned the Minister on pharmaceutical procurement reforms, action against past fraud, data manipulation and substandard drugs, and raised concerns about long angiogram waiting lists and the need to regulate private hospital surgery charges. She also called for regularizing Dengue Brigade workers, strengthening dengue control, and presenting biannual nutrition reports to Parliament in response to reported child malnutrition and rising food costs.
Healthcare Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised allegations of medical negligence and lack of accountability in Northern hospitals, citing deaths in Mannar and Kilinochchi and asking why the Health Ministry had not questioned staff involved. He called for investigation and arrest of Dr. R. Sathyamoorthy over alleged irregularities at Jaffna Teaching Hospital, past statements about wartime killings, qualifications, and fundraising for an eye hospital. He also referred to wartime disappearances of hospital patients, the transfer of a doctor from Chavakachcheri, and stressed that his criticisms were not communal, citing his opposition to demolishing the Thaiyiddy Vihara.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna said Chavakachcheri Hospital received attention and consultant appointments only after his protest, removal from his post, and subsequent legal cases, and warned that transferring the newly appointed consultants would harm the hospital. He alleged misappropriation of Rs. 200 million from a 2014 allocation to Vavuniya Hospital by a current MP and questioned whether the Ministry would take action. He also called for inquiries into funds allegedly received by Dr. Sathyamoorthy from overseas welfare societies and stated that Tamil speakers respect Buddhism.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna emphasized the need for Sri Lankans to live together without ethnic or religious divisions. He noted that, after the 77th Independence Day, he felt able to experience “true freedom” because he had been allowed to speak in Parliament after 77 days, and expressed thanks for the opportunity.
Ethnic Reconciliation & Devolution Full speech → - The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education JJB
AI summary The Deputy Minister argued that Sri Lanka’s health system requires continuous and effective management, not ad hoc responses, because failures in management have contributed to its gradual deterioration over many years. He said the problems predate the current administration and stressed that proper implementation of existing laws, particularly the PMIR Act, is necessary to regulate private hospitals and medical institutions according to quality standards.
Healthcare Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem
AI summary Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem urged the Minister of Health to address healthcare deficiencies in Batticaloa, particularly at Eravur Base Hospital, including the need for funds to operate a Chinese-funded three-storey building, a 160 kVA generator, medical consultants, medical officers, Public Health Midwives, and other staff. He requested the release of nearby railway land to expand the hospital, upgrading of the Meerakerni-Iyankerny-Michenagar rural dispensary with ward and 24-hour facilities, and establishment of a State Pharmaceutical Corporation pharmacy branch in Eravur. He also sought equipment, generator, vehicle and infrastructure support for the Eravur Ayurvedic hospital, and recorded appreciation for the charitable work of Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospital in Kiran.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem
AI summary Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem highlighted improvements in cardiac care for patients in the Batticaloa District, noting that free treatment had begun at Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospital in June 2023 and had reduced the need for patients to travel to Jaffna for angiograms. He thanked the doctors, administrators, organizers, and donors involved, including Sri Sathguru Srimadhasan, Mrs. Bennie Jayewardene, and the Batticaloa Teaching Hospital cardiac team, and noted that children were also being sent to India for free open-heart surgeries. He stated that free open-heart surgeries were expected to commence locally in addition to angiograms and stent placements, and appealed to the Minister of Health to address health needs and issues in Eravur.
Healthcare Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB
AI summary The Minister thanked Members for raising health-sector issues and said further responses would be provided during the Budget Committee Stage. He addressed concerns at Karapitiya National Hospital, stating that the cardiac catheterization issue should be resolved within 10 days, while procurement for a second cath lab machine requires retendering due to a supplier and cost discrepancy. He said the Government would expedite the transfer of 42 estate hospitals to the Central Government and had submitted a Cabinet paper to regularize about 600 dengue assistants. He also announced planned recruitments in the coming weeks and months, including nurses, PHIs/family health officers, pharmacists, radiographers and other technical staff, while noting that shortages of specialist doctors remain difficult to resolve immediately.
- 19 Opening Closing: Parliament Adjournment and Written Answers 2 speeches