The Hon. Jagath Vithana

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I will speak on the disaster after a moment. We stand at the brink of another national crisis. A 23-year-old young woman, taken to hospital on the 12th for vomiting, received an injection of Ondansetron. By then, NMRA had already banned that batch and issued directives to all government hospitals not to use it. Did that hospital receive the directive? The injection was administered; within hours she collapsed and died that night. Her parents’ statements are clear. This is a national tragedy. Some 270,000 vials were imported; about 220,000 have reportedly been used already.

¶ 02 We still debate past allegations of adulterated drugs under former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella; families continue to suffer without clarity. This, too, is a disaster. Four Members of this House, including myself, Hon. Nalinda Jayatissa, Hon. Sunil Watagala, and Hon. Dammika Patabendi, studied at Kannangara National School, the first Central College founded under C.W.W. Kannangara’s vision.

¶ 03 I state responsibly: the family of this young woman supported the JJB. Even if some Members hail from other districts, they did not attend the funeral; the family has received no assistance yet. In accident cases, families often receive Rs. 50,000, 60,000, or 100,000, but here, nothing. How many more will suffer? Two others reportedly faced similar issues that day; others have complications. If 220,000 injections have been given, what is being done?

¶ 04 We hear of secret deals with India; European medicines sidelined; cheaper Indian generics flooding in. Even in private hospitals, patients may receive the same injection—like “living with the hangman.” Treat this with the gravity of a national disaster.

¶ 05 On the recent natural disaster, earlier action could have reduced damage. We, too, helped people. Personally, I spent in lakhs; with youth from Matugama and Agalawatta we went to Kalawana, Kadawatha, Gampola, and Walapane. We took dewatering machines, and local council leaders and MPs joined. We never flew banners of party names; our aim was helping people. Many citizens contributed goods; my stores still hold items. Any Member who can send transport can collect items for affected constituents.

¶ 06 We must think more responsibly. NMRA reports suggest contamination like glass particles in certain drugs. When people die after such substances enter their bodies, who is accountable? That young woman—beautiful and full of promise—was our school’s daughter. Let us unite to deliver justice to her.