The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Deputy Chairperson. I am pleased to speak in the Committee Stage Debate on the allocations for the Ministries of Health and Mass Media.

¶ 02 First, I pay tribute to journalists who lost their lives—Sivaram, Nadesan, Sugirtharajan and others. Hon. Minister, the media is indispensable for all matters—political, governmental, and commercial—carrying accurate information to the people. Some media fulfill this responsibility; some distort news to vilify individuals.

¶ 03 Hon. Minister, journalists face many hardships: no permanent income, no defined salaries, no housing, no pensions, difficulty obtaining bank loans. Your Government rose from the grassroots; you understand the people’s needs. Therefore, please pay special attention to journalists’ welfare.

¶ 04 On health: In our war-affected Vanni, where many are psychologically traumatized, hospital services are sluggish—especially at the base hospitals in Mullaitivu and Mannar, which lack facilities. Despite this, doctors, nurses and staff work with dedication. There are staff shortages, building shortages, and lack of essential equipment. You have visited Mannar; please also visit Mullaitivu.

¶ 05 People there remain; they need to be seen. Except for a few high officials, many rarely visit the Vanni. I note that now ministers are visiting more often; please include our Vanni region for attention.

¶ 06 There is a severe human resource shortage—especially anesthetists. I raised this earlier. Two anesthetists were transferred to Mannar, Dr. M.T.T. Silva (from Ampara) and Dr. D.K.R. Kanangara (from Embilipitiya), but they have not reported yet. There is also an ambulance shortage in Mullaitivu and Mannar. Pregnant mothers must be sent to Jaffna or Vavuniya for delivery, taking 1.5 to 2 hours—what happens to their condition?

¶ 07 Since anesthetists have not arrived, surgeons are idle. Please address this urgently.

¶ 08 You promised a CT scanner for Mannar; there is already a building, but no machine. Please provide it. I commend the doctors, nurses and staff in Mannar; however, people hesitate to go there, fearing they may not return alive. When something goes wrong, people surround the doctors. How can they perform amidst no basic facilities in Mullaitivu and Mannar? Sinhala doctors from the South who do not know Tamil are serving sincerely; many Tamil doctors leave abroad after graduation. I appreciate and thank the Sinhala doctors and nurses.

¶ 09 Mannar Hospital is designated as a difficult-area hospital. Doctors come and within six months or a year obtain transfers. If it is removed from the difficult-area list, permanent doctors may stay. Now some come only to qualify for a transfer. Please address this.

¶ 10 India has granted assistance to Mullaitivu and Mannar hospitals. The Chief Secretary has signed for the Mannar project. Please finalize dates and commence immediately to avoid deferral.