The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, in reply to Question 7 regarding the Nursing Service:

¶ 02 (a) (i) The Nursing Service in Sri Lanka effectively commenced in 1939, with structured nursing education begun at the Colombo School of Nursing; this is treated as the formal start of the service. (ii) As at 30.09.2025: - Central Government: 29,749 - Provincial Service: 13,804 Total nurses: 43,553 (iii) Core functions include hospital and clinic patient care; public/mental health nursing; nursing education; and specialized/research nursing, aimed at prevention, health promotion, relief of suffering, and rehabilitation, grounded in scientific principles and essential human needs. (iv) Entry qualifications: - For 75% of intake via A/L: • GCE A/L in Biology stream (3 subjects chosen from Biology, Chemistry, Agriculture, Physics, Mathematics) or Physical Science stream (3 subjects from Combined Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Higher Mathematics), with all subjects passed in one sitting (General Test and General English excluded); and • GCE O/L passes with credit in Sinhala/Tamil, Mathematics, Science, and English within not more than two sittings; plus • Sri Lankan citizenship; age 18–28 on closing date; minimum height 147.3 cm; unmarried. - District-proportional selection, then proportional split between Biology and Physical Science streams, with 5% male and 95% female ratio, selecting highest Z-scores by district. Similar proportional methods apply when recruiting based on A/L results from two or more years. - For 25% graduate intake: • BSc (Nursing) from a UGC-recognized institution; Sri Lankan citizenship; age 18–35; degree effective before calling date; Nursing Council registration by interview date. Selection by effective date and GPA merit to an interview shortlist; successful candidates follow six months’ internship/integration training prior to appointment to Grade III of the Nursing Service.

¶ 03 (v) Yes. Post-basic training is provided via the Post-Basic Nursing School offering diplomas/certificates in: - Teaching and Supervision in Nursing (Diploma) - Health Supervision (Diploma) - Operating Theatre Nursing - Intensive Care Nursing - Public Health Nursing - Community Mental Health Nursing - Mental Health (Diploma) - Palliative Care (vi) Yes. Facilities include: - BSc and MSc in Nursing via the Open University and private universities; - Up to 20 days’ study leave per year; - Opportunities for lateral entries to national universities.

¶ 04 (b) Does not arise.