The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, over the past four days I observed that National Television, Independent Television, and Lake House newspapers abandoned media ethics. Since 2015, this Government had stopped mudslinging against opponents, but in the last four days Lake House, ITN, and National Television fell to a very low level, even showing grass and stooping to crass content. As today we also discuss the Ministry of Mass Media, I must mention social media. Over the past year, on social media, I said before that a “Veerappan mud squad” is scolding the Leader of the Opposition, me, and others. I saw what this group told that young woman who spoke at the Nugegoda rally yesterday, a young woman about 25, trying to come forward in politics. Go and see the vulgarities hurled at her. Is this the change people took to the streets for? From those who sling mud at me, 91 per cent use the filthiest words against that young Savindya Edirimanne; about 80 per cent curse Minister Dayasiri; another 80 per cent hurl abuse at Minister Chamara Sampath and at Kavinda. When a weakness appears that could hurt the Government, this profanity squad leaps out. I say that, if nothing else, over the past year the Government has formed a national profanity squad. We are deeply concerned.

¶ 02 At this time, the Hon. Chair of National Television may be in the official gallery. Sir, I have seen that the dues to the employees’ gratuity fund and the employees’ provident fund at National Television have not been paid. These are statutory payments; nonpayment is a violation. When employees retire, who pays? The Ministry of Labour must intervene. If the respective companies do not pay, who will? Ultimately, the Government will. There are profit-making companies. Take the Sugar Company at Nugegoda: its fans spin but no one comes to buy a kilo of sugar; yet employee benefits are not cut. Then the State must pay, meaning taxpayers bear it. We need a mechanism. If these are not paid, go to court. Already, over 20,000 unpaid EPF/ETF employees have filed cases against companies. Look at state plantation companies. After I raised it, a Hon. Member objected. I ask you to check. They cut trees and pay legal fees. If EPF/ETF had been paid by state companies, these legal costs would not be necessary. Please pay attention to this.

¶ 03 Next, I will speak about the Ministry of Health. I see three issues. First, human resources. Many doctors are leaving. Specialists are not properly placed; there is political interference. Large numbers of MBBS graduates from state medical faculties are not absorbed and lack required facilities. Due to these, there is serious brain drain, and ultimately the innocent public suffer.

¶ 04 Second, I see a serious issue in pharmaceuticals. Commencing the debate, Hon. (Dr.) Kachintha Jayawardana stated 131 essential medicines are out of stock. The Government says otherwise. As of yesterday’s data, and when I checked at 11.00 a.m. today, 100 medicines were short; within hours it increased by 29. Last year too I listed shortages you denied, but within two weeks the list was out. Twenty-five per cent of essential medicines are out of stock. The public must understand what this means come December-January.

¶ 05 On human resources again, I know there are 1,323 vacancies in the allied health services which are not being filled. The knowledge-measurement test held recently failed. I plead—in the name of the sick—to recruit medical laboratory scientists and physiotherapists. Due to staff shortages in hospitals, current staff are under severe strain. Please recruit the necessary personnel.

¶ 06 On medicines again, the biggest problem in areas like Matale, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Kurunegala and Monaragala is chronic kidney disease. Dialysis is required, but there are no dialysis kits, catheters, or needles—in short, no dialysis. Insulin is also out of stock. For non-communicable diseases too, medicines are unavailable. I table documents with these details.

¶ 07 During the good governance Government, RO plants were set up in Wilgamuwa DS Division and water was given free. Check the Matale District DS division data; while kidney patients increased elsewhere, the number in Wilgamuwa decreased year by year. But the present local authority has stopped free water and now charges for it. In medicine we say, prevention is better than cure. At least specialists should explain this to the Government.

¶ 08 Next, essential equipment is lacking. At the Kandy National Hospital’s cath lab, only one of two machines is working; both Central and Uva Provinces depend on this. The waiting list shows 10,000 patients; one of the three machines at the National Hospital is broken so patients wait over four months. At the Kalutara Teaching Hospital cath lab, the annual service contract has lapsed; repairs are delayed and patients have waited over five months. Waiting lists across hospitals now exceed six months.

¶ 09 I will conclude briefly. At Kandy National Hospital, the ESWL lithotripsy machine has been broken for 13 months. Though the Government boasts, it has failed to repair it. There are 80,000 patients on the waiting lists. At the National Hospital, three of four MRI machines are broken, as Hon. Kavinda Jayawardhana also said; patients wait eight months. Getting an MRI outside costs Rs. 50,000 to 150,000. While some boast of wealth, the people cannot afford an MRI at such cost.

¶ 10 At the Colombo National Hospital, four machines are not functioning and the waiting list has extended by two months. Why? Because they do not operate 24 hours. If they did, there would not be such waiting lists at a national hospital. Find out who prevents work beyond duty hours and who pushes patients to the private sector. I trust the Hon. Minister will investigate.

¶ 11 Please also examine equipment in operating theatres, including whether the six C-arm units brought in are functioning. With that request to the Hon. Minister, I conclude. Thank you.