Sitting of Thursday, 13 November 2025
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 22816 ·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 and Papers 5 speeches
- 2 Petitions Petitions 3 speeches
- 3 Oral question Oral Question: Kinniya-Colombo Main Road Widening (1350/2025) 4 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question: Curbing Illegal Fishing in Mullaitivu and Mannar Districts (1352/2025) 4 speeches
- 5 Oral question Oral Question: Payment of Pension since 2020 (1354/2025) 4 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Question: Heda Oya Water Supply Project Status (1395/2025) 8 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Question: Recovery of EPF Contributions 3 speeches
- 8 Oral question Private Notice Question: Paddy Prices and Rice Imports (27(2)) 8 speeches
- 9 Procedural Privilege Matters and Procedural Issues 10 speeches
- 10 Procedural Sittings Motions and Adjournment of Debate Order 13 speeches
- 11 Debate Debate: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Second Reading (Fifth Allotted Day) 84 speeches
- 12 Adjournment Adjournment Motion: National Strategic Plan for Eye Health 23 speeches
- The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law - Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB
AI summary Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara moved the adjournment of Parliament. The presiding member then proposed the question on the adjournment motion.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna moved an Adjournment Motion urging the Ministry of Health to adopt and operationalize the National Strategic Plan for Eye Health, aimed at reducing avoidable blindness through expanded cataract surgery, screening for diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma, school eye checks, staff training, tele-ophthalmology and AI-assisted screening. He cited high levels of vision impairment, a large cataract surgery backlog, regional disparities in access, and high private-sector costs as reasons for urgent implementation. He stated that a proposal sent to the President in January and forwarded to the Health Minister in June had not been actioned, and asked when the Ministry would respond and implement the plan.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna said he had initially supported the Government but had been alienated and accused of wrongdoing, including being called a drug dealer, after seeking to assist. He raised concerns about the emigration of doctors and consultants, citing low salaries, lack of vehicle facilities, and delayed car permits, and urged the Government to address doctors’ living and professional conditions. He also referred to political support in the North, local government election outcomes, and possible provincial council elections, stating that he did not seek office or wish to topple the Government but wanted his concerns to be heard.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna argued that political alignments are secondary to delivering meaningful work for the public. He criticized the condition of hospitals in the North and alleged that doctors posted from the South work only briefly there while spending most of their time in Colombo private hospitals. He questioned government inaction and began to raise concerns about corruption.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna briefly stated that the matter being addressed was his Adjournment Motion. No substantive details, proposals, or arguments were provided in the excerpt.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna stated that he had submitted five documents alleging fraud and corruption and asked the Deputy Minister whether any inquiries had been initiated. He argued that inaction on such matters erodes public trust and defended the credibility of his interventions by referring to his medical qualifications.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna briefly responded to interruptions during his remarks, noting that someone had shouted “Boo” and called him mad. Part of his statement was ordered expunged by the Chair, after which he concluded by saying, “It is not us,” and thanked the House.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam seconded the Adjournment Motion calling for a National Strategic Plan for Eye Health, citing preventable blindness among adults under 40 and major causes such as cataract, refractive errors, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. He said Sri Lanka faces a large cataract surgery need, but pointed to the Northern Province, especially Jaffna Teaching Hospital and Vavuniya General Hospital, as examples where high surgical capacity and NGO/international support have reduced waiting lists. He urged islandwide implementation of similar coordinated measures, noting the Northern Province’s higher cataract surgical rate as a model for reducing preventable blindness nationally.
Healthcare Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah supported the Adjournment Motion and called for a National Strategic Plan for eye health, noting that Sri Lanka lacks a national plan despite comparatively strong general health indicators. He proposed integrating eye care into primary healthcare, national screening for cataract, refractive errors and diabetic retinopathy, and legal support for public-private partnerships. He also urged targets aligned with WHO SPECS 2030, expanded cataract surgery and spectacle provision, screening for diabetic patients, premature babies and preschool children, improved refractive error correction, and more corneal transplants, while citing the high volume of cataract surgeries at Jaffna Teaching Hospital.
Healthcare Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni - Deputy Minister of Health JJB
AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Health Ministry has prepared a National Strategic Plan for eye diseases aligned with WHO Vision 2030, targeting increased cataract surgery coverage, reduced waiting lists, diabetic retinopathy screening, refractive error correction, prematurity screening, and school vision programmes. He outlined measures including President’s Fund support, private-sector referrals where appropriate, post-surgery spectacle provision, strengthened referral pathways, and improved direct provision of spectacles through hospitals. He noted progress in corneal graft surgery, acknowledged shortages of ophthalmologists and administrative concerns, and said allegations of improper patient referrals and unanswered ministry correspondence would be investigated.
Healthcare Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna’s contribution consists only of addressing the Presiding Member and contains no substantive argument, proposal, question, or reference to legislation, policy, or events.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna thanked the Deputy Minister, the Minister, and two doctors who contributed to the debate on the Motion. He called for collective action to implement the matters discussed and conveyed appreciation on behalf of the people of the North, specifically mentioning Dr. Malaravan.
Healthcare Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural