The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni - Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media

¶ 01 [3.56 p.m.]

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for allowing me to address this Tenth Session of Parliament. I thank all Members. I was elected from Kandy District—particularly Yatinuwara, Udunuwara, Senkadagala and Kandy. I thank all the people of Kandy.

¶ 03 We contested this General Election as a movement, and I continue to represent that movement. I have come here bearing the hopes, expectations and dreams of those people. “I” is not one person; I carry the responsibility of thousands.

¶ 04 I am a medical doctor, having served 25 years. Faced with the nation’s destiny, I, along with about 18 other doctors, decided that more than treating individual patients, the country now needs political treatment.

¶ 05 As doctors we take an oath. I believe the principles of that oath are equally important to us as politicians. I am not new to politics; my political life goes back over 30 years, beginning with the student movement for free education and freedom, with comrades who sacrificed much. I pay my respects to them, and to C.W.W. Kannangara, who made free education possible, enabling people like us to become doctors, MPs, and Ministers.

¶ 06 Our victory is not merely due to a few individuals’ efforts. Just as the hundredth hammer blow breaks the rock, the first blows matter too. I salute all who sacrificed their lives for this change.

¶ 07 We do not live in a country in good condition. Through politics we have failed to deliver the basics to our people. Even as we speak, many families wonder how to find dinner. In many provinces, safe drinking water is a dream. There is a vast distance between the patient and the treatment they need. I have seen for 25 years how vulnerable patients are. You saw queues for gas and petrol, which eventually ended. But the most tragic queues are in hospitals, where people never receive what they need; they keep a book in their hands to record a number or date, and then depart from life. What country have we built? What victory have we won if basic human rights are denied? We have a great responsibility.

¶ 08 Over these two days, I listened. At the very least, we must understand the nature of this mandate. If we do not, that is a big problem. This mandate was given because our voters transformed from mere voters into citizens with civic responsibility. This Parliament reflects their decision.

¶ 09 We must understand and respond to their aspirations. If we do not, we will lose the ability to do politics in this country.

¶ 10 I have been appointed Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media. I think I have strong capacity to discharge my responsibilities. In health, we must reduce the gap between patient and treatment. We must do more in prevention. These do not always require large expenditure. Many patients are bedridden today; in many hospitals bed occupancy is under 60 percent—this reveals management issues and a lack of political leadership.

¶ 11 The Leader of the Opposition spoke of a drug shortage. Yes, there is a shortage, with administrative issues and other obstacles—and corruption too. The Government is intervening to minimize shortages. I could not be in Parliament earlier because I was working on medicines. We will work around the clock to provide solutions and ensure the right to life.

¶ 12 Primordial prevention is key—preventing disease before it arises. Food safety is weak. Many lack nutritious food, and many do not know whether what they eat is safe. Ensuring food safety is a Government responsibility.

¶ 13 From January 1 we will prohibit the use of children under 12 in commercial advertising; the Gazette has been prepared. For 7–8 years past governments delayed this. We decided not to postpone it any longer. We will also ensure quality medicines in the right quantities at affordable prices.

¶ 14 In mass media, we are laying the foundation to provide journalists with necessary facilities and education to live and work as media professionals.

¶ 15 Thank you for the opportunity.