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Sri Lanka
10th Parliament· 154 sittings on record · 30,475 speeches · latest 10 June 2026

Sitting of Tuesday, 21 October 2025

10th Parliament· 24 debates· 209 speeches· 62 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 22635 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard

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Order of business

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

  16. 16 Oral question Question by Private Notice (SO 27(2)): Health Services and Drug Shortages 8 speeches
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of Opposition SJB

      AI summary Under Standing Order 27(2), Sajith Premadasa raised a Private Notice Question on several issues in the health sector, citing the Government’s policy commitments on health services and patient safety. He questioned the reported renaming and possible recolouring of the 1990 “Suwa Seriya” ambulance service, asked whether its objectives or regulations under the Suwa Seriya Foundation Act had changed, and requested data and measures relating to the migration of doctors, specialists, nurses and other health professionals. He also sought urgent action on shortages affecting haemodialysis patients, resource and staffing deficiencies at Kebithigollewa Hospital, and implementation of its development plan, including dialysis, medical and surgical facilities and staff quarters. He further asked why the contracts of 301 Field Mosquito Control Assistants had not been extended in 2025, and whether the Government would ensure continuity of their public health functions, job security, or permanent absorption.

      Justice & Human RightsHealthcare Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB

      AI summary Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said no decision had been taken to change the Suwa Seriya Foundation, the “1990” identity, or the green ambulance colour, and that the Government was instead focusing on modernization, recruitment, training, and expanding the fleet with allocations and support from India and the ADB. He stated that no new regulations or policy changes had been made under the Suwa Seriya Act regarding its emergency response purpose. Addressing health-sector staffing, he gave cadre, recruitment, training, and salary revision figures for doctors, nurses, and medical laboratory technologists, saying retention measures include pay increases and administrative improvements within fiscal limits. He also said dialysis fistula needle shortages arose from procurement specification issues, local price spikes had followed, and 460,000 rotatable needles were being cleared for hospital distribution within about a week.

      HealthcareEmploymentPublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of Opposition SJB

      AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised concerns about widespread shortages of medicines, consumables, surgical sutures, imaging services and cardiac surgery capacity in public hospitals, citing Kalutara Hospital and major national hospitals, and tabled a document on shortages. He urged the Government to include strong financial penalties in tender agreements when suppliers provide incorrect dialysis needles, and questioned the Consumer Affairs Authority’s response to sharp retail price increases, calling for raids and public identification of profiteers. He described the matter as a national issue affecting the hospital system and requested urgent remedial action.

      Justice & Human RightsHealthcarePublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB

      AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva urged the Government not to alter the name or objective of the Suwa Seriya service, noting that the Suwa Seriya Foundation Act he presented in 2018 does not refer to a “National Emergency Ambulance Service.” He said the service is widely recognized by the public and by the World Bank, and emphasized that its statutory purpose is pre-hospital ambulance service and emergency response. He also acknowledged the allocation of Rs. 5 billion in the previous year and the current year, while requesting that the existing branding and mandate be preserved.

      Parliamentary ProcedureHealthcare Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB

      AI summary The Minister said the Government is continuing and modernizing health initiatives begun by previous Health Ministers, including ambulance services. He stated that discussions are ongoing with emergency physicians on improving in-hospital ambulances and the 1990 Suwa Seriya service, with emphasis on service enhancement and public recognition rather than changes to its number, colour, logo, or foundation. He added that a new board with military, business, medical, and legal expertise has been appointed by the President to support the programme.

      Healthcare Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB

      AI summary Dr. Harsha de Silva indicated satisfaction with the matter under discussion and offered no further substantive remarks.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB

      AI summary Assured Parliament that the proposed changes are intended to strengthen and develop the service, not to make arbitrary alterations. He rejected suggestions that the Government would seek ad hoc approvals for routine matters such as changing tyres or batteries.

      Healthcare Full speech →