Sitting of Thursday, 6 March 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1742798688089503 ·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 Papers Tabling of Annual Reports 4 speeches
- 2 Oral question Oral Questions (Q.1-4) 9 speeches
- 3 Oral question Oral Question No. 5 (Q.390/2025) 2 speeches
- 4 Procedural Oral Question Stand Down Request 1 speeches
- 5 Oral question Private Notice Question: Reopening of Tile Factory in Oddusuddan 3 speeches
- 6 Oral question Private Notice Question: Construction of Tissa Rajamaha Viharaya on Private Land in Thyiddy 3 speeches
- 7 Procedural Outstanding Questions Raised 1 speeches
- 8 Debate Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media 127 speeches
- 9 Adjournment Adjournment Motion: Challenges Faced by Medical Specialists (Postgraduate Trainees) 15 speeches
- The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB
AI summary Bimal Rathnayake formally moved the motion that Parliament be adjourned. The Presiding Member put the question to the House.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised concerns about the emigration of doctors and nurses following the economic and political crises, citing the public cost of training medical professionals and the resulting financial loss to the State. He argued that economic instability, inability to afford vehicles, loan burdens, and inadequate conditions are key reasons doctors leave the country. He specifically called for better support for postgraduate medical trainees, including fair remuneration, accommodation, and practical benefits, noting their central role in the health system.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna argued that poor working conditions, limited career progression, and remuneration issues are driving doctors, interns, and postgraduate trainees to seek employment abroad. He proposed creating a senior intermediate medical cadre for experienced doctors and establishing mechanisms for medical officers to pursue postgraduate training while remaining in service. He welcomed the increase in basic salary but urged the Government to address overtime calculations, particularly the issue of dividing OT by 120 instead of 80, through consultation and future Budget commitments. He also referred to his own arrest in Jaffna, asking the Government to avoid personal reprisals and make better use of medical expertise within Parliament.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam supported the Adjournment Motion on challenges faced by medical specialists and urged the introduction of an intermediate cadre between Medical Officers and consultants. He argued that doctors with postgraduate diplomas, Masters qualifications, or long specialized experience remain classified as ordinary Medical Officers without appropriate career progression or salary recognition, leading to loss of expertise and migration. He proposed a special Service Minute, defined absorption criteria, dedicated salary scales, and expanded postgraduate training opportunities through universities, including the Jaffna Medical Faculty.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah JJB
AI summary The member supported the proposal to create a middle-level medical officer grade within the Ministry of Health, noting that the issue had been discussed previously without resolution. He argued that recognizing experienced medical officers through a Service Minute, in consultation with relevant medical colleges, the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, and the Department of Management Services, would help retain health personnel and strengthen rural healthcare. He proposed appointing such officers to divisional hospitals as officers in charge to reduce pressure on urban hospitals and called for a committee to develop a practical solution.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK
AI summary Welcoming the Adjournment Motion on challenges faced by medical specialists, the Member drew attention to health sector shortages in Mullaitivu District, noting manpower gaps across hospitals and inadequate facilities at the District General Hospital. He requested more inpatient accommodation and additional ambulances for Mullaitivu, Alampil, Kokkulai and other areas, and urged the Health Minister to visit the district and address its underdevelopment-related health needs.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Janaka Senarathna JJB
AI summary The Government accepted the Adjournment Motion on creating an intermediate medical cadre as timely, citing specialist doctor shortages after the economic crisis and the loss of experienced non-specialist doctors from high-demand fields. The proposal was supported in principle as a way to address service gaps, especially outside Colombo, but it was noted that implementation requires consultation with specialists, legal consideration, and approval from relevant academic and professional bodies. The Ministry had already begun technical discussions on the concept and is also considering prompt relief for postgraduate trainees facing accommodation and transfer-related financial difficulties.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni - Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media JJB
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.
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna thanked Members who supported the discussion, including Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni and Hon. (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah, and expressed appreciation for the Deputy Minister’s response. He commended the Government, saying it deserved a long tenure, after which the question was agreed to and Parliament adjourned until 7 March 2025.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →