Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, in this debate on Health and Mass Media, I first urge justice for journalists killed, abducted, attacked, and oppressed during the war, and to ensure media freedom and independence.

¶ 02 Under the theme “Healthy Living towards a Healthy Society,” the Government’s 2026 health plans must address the holistic health of individuals, families, and communities—including the psychosocial well-being of children who have lost parents and caregivers, such as the children of Tamil political prisoner Thambi Ananthasuthakar, incarcerated for 17 years. What relief will this Budget provide them? Our people did not choose arms; politics failed and they were compelled. Since 2009, arms fell silent. Successive governments promise reconciliation but keep deceiving us. Open the door to reconciliation by first releasing political prisoners; extend the path to healthy living to Eelam Tamils too.

¶ 03 I have repeatedly raised inequitable resource allocation in health. For 2026, remove Mullaitivu and Mannar District General Hospitals from the “difficult area” list not by cutting support, but by providing the same facilities other district hospitals receive.

¶ 04 Mullaitivu and Mannar have the highest inter-hospital transfer rates due to lack of infrastructure, human resources, weak transport, doctors on no-pay leave, and bloated ineffective attachments. In Mullaitivu, of 22 ambulances, 18, and of 12 dual-row vehicles, five, have served for over 10 years, with high maintenance costs and frequent breakdowns impeding urgent transfers. Kindly provide at least two new ambulances in 2026.

¶ 05 Human resource shortages affect services from specialists to minor staff. Mullaitivu has 23 approved specialist posts but only one permanent specialist; 18 are temporary. Provide permanent specialists in the four main disciplines so we can attract trainees like other districts. Also urgently fill vacancies in pharmacy, lab technology, physiotherapy, radiography, and compounding in Mullaitivu.

¶ 06 In the Northern Province, there are over 650 vacancies for Health Service Assistants, crippling basic services. In 2019, after proper interviews, appointments were made but later cancelled. On 2025-08-22, replying to my oral question, the Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media acknowledged the injustice to 454 Health Service Assistants and assured recruitment once Management Services approval is received. Please complete these 454 recruitments in 2026 to restore justice and service delivery.

¶ 07 I urge all Ministers and Members: stand for equitable resource allocation to the Vanni so all districts enjoy equal health facilities.

¶ 08 Thank you.