Sitting of Wednesday, 10 June 2026
Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 23707 ·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 Announcements 1 speeches
- 2 Committee report Committee Reports: Public Finance and Sectoral Oversight Committees 2 speeches
- 3 Petitions Petitions 5 speeches
- 4 Oral question Oral Question: Renewable Energy and Electricity Generation (Q.1) 7 speeches
- 5 Procedural Procedural: Points of Order and Supplementary Questions 59 speeches
- 6 Oral question Oral Question: Rebuilding Sri Lanka Account Expenditure (Q.2) 2 speeches
- 7 Oral question Oral Question: School Dropouts Since 2010 (Q.3) 12 speeches
- 8 Oral question Procedural: Points of Order and Oral Question - Human-Elephant Conflict, Kurunegala District (Q.4) 39 speeches
- 9 Oral question Oral Question: Chilaw Plantations Limited and Hospital Infrastructure (Q.5-6) 14 speeches
- 10 Oral question Oral Questions and Ministerial Statement: Hajj Pilgrims and Fisheries (Q.7-8, Ministerial Statement) 8 speeches
- 11 Procedural Procedural: Questions of Privilege and Motions 17 speeches
- 12 Procedural Procedural: Motions on Standing Order Exemptions and Electoral System Committee 13 speeches
- 13 Debate Debate: Central Bank Rules on Export Proceeds Repatriation and Essential Public Services Resolution 104 speeches
- 14 Adjournment Adjournment: Issues in Health Sector 17 speeches
- Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa moved that Parliament adjourn, introducing an adjournment debate on issues in the health sector. The intervention was procedural, setting the context for discussion rather than presenting substantive policy details or proposals.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. Amila Prasad SJB
AI summary Hon. Amila Prasad moved an Adjournment Motion on strengthening Sri Lanka’s free healthcare system, citing shortages of doctors, nurses, medicines, equipment, and qualified pharmacists, and calling for updated cadre assessments, measures to retain and re-engage health professionals, and expanded medical and nursing training. He questioned the effectiveness of Primary Medical Care Centres, the handling of equipment shortages including at Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital, and the basis for medicine and supplier constraints. He also sought clarification on alleged irregularities in hospital support-staff recruitment and urged equal opportunity in filling vacancies. He further raised concerns over Suwaseriya ambulance staff working conditions, including unpaid salary increments, insurance, uniforms, disciplinary issues, administration, transfers, supplies, and facilities.
- Mr. Presiding Member
AI summary The Presiding Member called on Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna to deliver the mover’s reply and informed him that he had four minutes to speak.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna seconded an Adjournment Motion on health sector deficiencies and raised concerns about hospital administration, staffing shortages, and accountability in Puttalam, Batticaloa, Jaffna, Tellippalai, and Mancholai. He asked the Health Ministry to report on inquiries into incidents including a pregnant woman allegedly giving birth while standing at Puttalam Hospital, a child’s death at Mancholai, alleged illegal collections at Tellippalai, and the fire at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital drug store, noting that CCTV had reportedly been disabled beforehand. He also questioned delays in appointing 170 promised health workers at Jaffna Teaching Hospital, the lack of Medical Superintendents in several Eastern hospitals, and the non-implementation of the “SWASTHA” system in the North, calling for ministerial oversight of officials and a response to Parliament.
- Mr. Presiding Member
AI summary The Presiding Member called on Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC, to speak and informed him that he had three minutes.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB
AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper raised concerns about two unfilled doctor vacancies at Sainthamaruthu Divisional Hospital and attributed the problem to alleged political interference in replacing its Hospital Development Committee. Citing the Manual for the Management of Primary Medical Care Units and its emphasis on community participation, he said the hospital head should traditionally chair the committee rather than a politically favoured nominee. He urged the Minister to inquire into the matter, restore proper functioning of the hospital, and prevent interruptions during the Adjournment Debate.
- Mr. Presiding Member
AI summary Mr. Presiding Member called on Hon. (Dr.) Sandaruwan Madarasinghe to speak and informed him that he had five minutes.
Parliamentary Procedure Full speech → - Hon. (Dr.) Sandaruwan Madarasinghe JJB
AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Sandaruwan Madarasinghe said the Government is rebuilding the health system through a 10-year plan focused on human resources, infrastructure, technology, and adaptation to disease and climate changes. He highlighted an ongoing cadre revision to align staffing with new health units, noting that around 22,000 doctors are currently in service and that nearly 8,000 doctors have been appointed or are in the appointment pipeline within the past 18 months.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni - Deputy Minister of Health JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister Hansaka Wijemuni said the Health Ministry is implementing a ten-year plan and Strategic Plan covering infrastructure, recruitment, equipment, prevention, treatment, and post-care services. He acknowledged shortages across all health workforce categories and said 8,133 doctors and 13,000 nurses are planned for recruitment, while a scientific cadre revision by the Health and Finance Ministries is nearing completion to determine hospital-level staffing needs. On medicines, he said shortages have reduced, a new procurement procedure is being developed with Asian Development Bank support, weekly Medicines Review Committee meetings are being held, and the SWASTHA software system is being expanded to improve distribution and stock management.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. Amila Prasad SJB
AI summary Welcoming the planned recruitment of about 8,000 doctors, the member said this reflects training decisions made by previous governments five to seven years ago. He urged the Government to further increase medical faculty and nursing intakes from Advanced Level qualified students, sought clearer action on bringing back health professionals who have gone abroad, and reiterated the need to improve facilities at Primary Medical Care Centers.
- The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni - Deputy Minister of Health JJB
AI summary The Deputy Minister of Health merely acknowledged the Presiding Member and did not make any substantive remarks, proposals, or policy statements.
Healthcare Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural
- The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni - Deputy Minister of Health JJB
AI summary Deputy Minister of Health Hansaka Wijemuni stated that the Government plans to establish 2,000 Primary Medical Care Centers, of which 418 have already been set up, with a further 300 expected within the year. He said the current number is insufficient for a full assessment, but the expansion should help address gaps in the health system. He also noted that around 2,000 locally trained doctors and 500 foreign-trained doctors are added to the system annually.
Healthcare Full speech → - The Hon. Presiding Member procedural