The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip

¶ 01 Mr. Deputy Speaker, the reply to the Question asked by the Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna on 11.03.2025 under Standing Order 27(2) is as follows.

¶ 02 Dr. Kasthuri Jeevagan (Dr. Kasthuri Thanagarajah), who has completed local training in Paediatrics, was posted to the Mannar District General Hospital under the 2023 temporary placement list based on service requirements. As she was pregnant at that time and Mannar was far from her permanent residence, she did not report there and proceeded on maternity leave due to childbirth.

¶ 03 Due to maternity leave, she did not apply for the 2024 temporary placement list. After maternity leave – about a year later – she reported again to the Chavakachcheri Base Hospital. From 2024.01.01 to 2024.10.15 she had been on leave.

¶ 04 After resuming duty post-maternity, she became pregnant again and submitted medical reports, requesting on high-risk grounds to remain at Chavakachcheri Hospital or, on humanitarian grounds, a temporary attachment to the Kayts Base Hospital. However, the Ministry repeatedly informed her to report to the Mannar Hospital. Although she reported to Mannar Hospital, due to complications and high-risk pregnancy, she requested a third temporary attachment to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital for delivery.

¶ 05 Considering her request on humanitarian grounds, with effect from 2025.07.04 she has been temporarily attached to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital.

¶ 06 This officer is not a Board-certified Specialist; she has completed local training and is awaiting foreign training. She had been under treatment for subfertility for a long period, and her request was considered on humanitarian grounds, which I kindly inform the House.

¶ 07 Furthermore, Mr. Deputy Speaker, we have now assigned a required Paediatric Specialist to the Mannar District General Hospital. I wish to note that a medical officer who had left service due to various situations in the country made a request to serve in Mannar; we appreciate that, and he is now serving as the Paediatrician at Mannar Hospital.

¶ 08 Hon. Member, we have granted this transfer to the said doctor purely on humanitarian grounds.

¶ 09 Thank you.