Sitting of Tuesday, 21 October 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 Announcements: Global Breast Cancer Awareness Month 1 speeches ▸
2. 2 Papers Presentation of Papers and Committee Reports 6 speeches ▸
3. 3 Petitions Petitions Presented to Parliament 7 speeches ▸
4. 4 Procedural Parliamentary Business and Disaster Management Discussion 6 speeches ▸
5. 5 Procedural Point of Order on Foreign Affairs Statement 7 speeches ▸
6. 6 Oral question Oral Question 2 (825/2025): Ministry of Health - Purchase of Medicines 6 speeches ▾
   • Mr. Speaker procedural
     Full speech →
   • Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media JJB

     AI summary The Minister of Health and Mass Media stated that the expected 2025 expenditure on medicines by the Ministry of Health and affiliated institutions is Rs. 183.8 billion, including major allocations to SPC, SPMC, MSD, local hospital emergency purchases, AIIB-supported procurement, and Indigenous Medicine. He said 862 priority items have been approved, with 246 to be procured locally and 616 imported, and that orders for imported items were placed through SPC by 31 January with Rs. 90 billion allocated, expected to rise by a further Rs. 20 billion. He outlined the procurement process based on formulary committee recommendations, institutional estimates, and tender procedures, and stated that supplier delays are handled under contract terms while shortages are managed jointly by SPC and MSD.

     HealthcarePublic Finance Full speech →
   • Hon. S. M. Marikkar SJB

     AI summary Hon. S. M. Marikkar asked the Minister to state how much of the current year’s allocated funds remains unutilized. He also sought details on the number of pending tender awards and the quantity or scale of medicines yet to be procured as a result.

     Public Finance Full speech →
   • Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media JJB

     AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa explained that medical supply orders tendered in 2024 are being delivered in 2025, while 2026 orders reached the Medical Supplies Division before 31 January and tenders have already commenced, with many concluded. He stated that the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation allocation has been increased from Rs. 60 billion to Rs. 90 billion, with a further Rs. 20 billion expected, and expressed confidence that deliveries from placed tenders will arrive by March next year. He also noted that some tenders require retendering due to no bids or supplier-related issues and said he would table the relevant figures.

     Public FinanceHealthcare Full speech →
   • Hon. S. M. Marikkar SJB

     AI summary Hon. S. M. Marikkar raised a procedural concern that a writ application filed by the Sri Lanka Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry on the matter under discussion was pending before court, questioning whether it was appropriate for Parliament to debate it. He also asked for an assurance that there would be no medicine shortages in the following year, noting that tenders for 2026 were being processed during 2025.

     Public FinanceHealthcare Full speech →
   • Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media JJB

     AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the Rs. 183.8 billion allocation for 2025 covers medicines and medical devices through SPC, SPMC, local manufacturers, and local purchases, and is a Treasury-provided envelope with scope for reallocations rather than a response to a prior shortfall. He said the Government aims to maintain uninterrupted medical supplies, while acknowledging that quality failures or supplier issues may cause occasional delays. He also informed Parliament that the interim injunction relating to the Gazette had been vacated, with the next court date set for 30 October, and that there was no current court order preventing Parliament from debating and approving it, after which the NMRA could implement maximum ceiling and retail prices.

     HealthcarePublic Finance Full speech →
7. 7 Oral question Oral Question 3 (859/2025): Agriculture - Stand Down 3 speeches ▸
8. 8 Oral question Oral Question 4: Occupants of State Lands in Manmunai Pattu DS Division 6 speeches ▸
9. 9 Oral question Oral Question 5: Ceylon Electricity Board Regional Offices 20 speeches ▸
10. 10 Oral question Oral Question 7: Safeguard of Interests of Farmers, Traders and Consumers 9 speeches ▸
11. 11 Oral question Oral Question 8 (1313/2025): Stand Down 3 speeches ▸
12. 12 Oral question Oral Question 9: First Prison in Sri Lanka and Prison Conditions 6 speeches ▸
13. 13 Oral question Oral Question 10: Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Land at Deniyaya 4 speeches ▸
14. 14 Oral question Oral Question 11: University Faculty Enrolment (Answer Tabled) 2 speeches ▸
15. 15 Oral question Oral Question 12: Religious Activities in Wildlife Conservation Areas (Answer Tabled) 2 speeches ▸
16. 16 Oral question Question by Private Notice (SO 27(2)): Health Services and Drug Shortages 8 speeches ▸
17. 17 Oral question Question by Private Notice (SO 27(2)): Department of Pensions Services 5 speeches ▸
18. 18 Opening Ministerial Statement: Teacher Vacancies and Development Officers 4 speeches ▸
19. 19 Opening Ministerial Statement: Fair Prices for Paddy 2 speeches ▸
20. 20 Opening Ministerial Statement: Tamil Translations of Holy Qur'an 8 speeches ▸
21. 21 Papers Presentation of Bills: Betting and Gaming Levy (Amendment) Bill 6 speeches ▸
22. 22 Debate Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 67 speeches ▸
23. 23 Debate Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Bill - Committee Stage 4 speeches ▸
24. 24 Adjournment Adjournment Motion: Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability 17 speeches ▸