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

¶ 01 On behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, I move that, the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill, which was received by Parliament on 26.11.2025 and referred under Standing Order 50(2) to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations, be also referred, as recommended by that Committee upon due consideration of the Bill, to the Committee on Public Finance with the leave of the House.

¶ 02 Question put, and agreed to.

¶ 03 I present the following: (i) The Annual Report of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol for the year 2023; and (ii) The Performance Report of the Department of Ayurveda for the year 2024.

¶ 04 I move that these reports be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health, Mass Media and Women Empowerment.

¶ 05 Question put, and agreed to.

¶ 06 On behalf of the Minister of Justice and National Integration, I present the Annual Report for 2024 of the Superior Courts Complex Board of Management.

¶ 07 I move that this report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Public Administration, Justice and Civil Security.

¶ 08 Question put, and agreed to.

¶ 09 Oral Answers to Questions

¶ 10 Hospitals in Trincomalee District under Line Ministry: Details (Q. 1116/2025)

¶ 11 (a)(i) Two hospitals in Trincomalee District are administered by the Line Ministry: Trincomalee District General Hospital and Kantale Base Hospital.

¶ 12 (ii) Trincomalee District General Hospital is an important hospital for the district and the Eastern Province. Under a JICA project, it has been selected for construction of an eight-storey Cardiology Unit at a cost of Rs. 2,300 million. Procurement is at the final stage, and construction is expected to commence in May. Although this unit should have commenced earlier, JICA projects were halted; we are restarting.

¶ 13 In addition, under the same JICA project, we are modernizing the sewerage system, to be completed this year. A new incinerator was provided last September to serve both the District General Hospital and surrounding hospitals for clinical waste disposal. We are completing two remaining floors of an existing three-storey ward complex. Eight mortuary coolers have been awarded for procurement. An A&E (Accident and Emergency) three-storey building is being provided at a cost of Rs. 1,000 million; procurement has commenced, and we aim to complete by end-2026 or by January 2027. Substantial funds have also been provided for ongoing renovations, much of which was completed last year.

¶ 14 (iii) Approved cadre is being supplied progressively as per recruitment; issues relating to minor staff will be resolved in the coming weeks. Medical Officers and Nursing Officers are being appointed, with remaining staff to be provided.

¶ 15 (iv) As stated, construction and equipment are being provided under current allocations. A request has been made to upgrade the cadre; it is with the Department of Management Services. Approval has been granted to improve the existing HDU/CT-related sections.

¶ 16 (b) Does not arise.

¶ 17 Regarding the supplementary question on a new clinical building for Kantale Hospital: Under an ADB project, we plan new constructions and renovations in our base hospitals with Rs. 31,000 million over the next four years. Through government funds under next year’s PIP as well, we will consider feasible support.

¶ 18 On continuity of Medical Officers at Kantale: There is merit to the concern. Assignments to difficult stations are sometimes for 1–2 years. The core issue is the failure to effect routine annual transfers properly since 2013. We expect to implement all pending annual transfers in the first week of February, which will bring relief.