The Hon. B. Ariyawansha

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, today we debate the Heads of Expenditure of the Ministries of Health and Mass Media. Many Members, both Government and Opposition, highlighted deficiencies in the health sector.

¶ 02 Before that, I must refer to yesterday’s incident: due to heavy rain in the Kolonna Divisional Secretariat, the Grama Niladhari divisions of Pupilaketiya, Boraluwagala, and Ittakanda faced landslides, displacing over 20 families; about 10 families are sheltering at the Dharmakara Viharaya. In Hese Watta, several houses are at risk; residents have been moved. Strong winds and rain have destroyed many estate line rooms — some over 200 years old. I urge prompt relief because historically such victims receive assistance only after years.

¶ 03 For 2025, Rs. 588,500 million is allocated for Health, and for 2026, Rs. 545,000 million. Health is a major spending Ministry, to deliver free healthcare. The previous Health Minister imported substandard drugs, causing great harm, corruption, and even deaths. We are pleased Hon. Nalinda Jayatissa is devoted to improving the sector.

¶ 04 There are huge medical staff shortages; many general and specialist doctors left the country due to poor facilities and other issues. In rural hospitals, staff shortages are severe. For example, at the Kolonna hospital where I reside, the X‑ray machine has lacked a technician for years; I previously informed the Hon. Minister to fill it urgently. Without X‑ray in Kolonna, patients must go 35–40 km to Embilipitiya, and from places like Suriyakanda, over 50 km. Please address this.

¶ 05 Old buildings house patients in many hospitals. Embilipitiya Hospital serves three districts — Ratnapura, Hambantota, Monaragala — meeting at its boundary. Even now, patients lie under beds, two to a bed, sit on chairs, or lie on mats on the floor. Please pay special attention.

¶ 06 There are many equipment shortages; some need repairs; people must travel many kilometres. Many suffer heart diseases; in State hospitals, patients wait two to three years for cardiac surgery and die while in queues or on date-of-birth ordered lists; private hospitals can do it in a day but cost lakhs — five, ten, twenty — without a fixed amount. Create a special programme to support poor rural people who need cardiac procedures. Even for investigations like dye studies, people must travel to Colombo or Karapitiya; not even Ratnapura, let alone Embilipitiya, has facilities. Private tests cost Rs. 60,000–75,000.

¶ 07 In Godakawela, Rakwane, Pallebedda, Weligepola, Embilipitiya, Kolonna, Chandrika Wewa, Balangoda, and Ratnapura, major and rural hospitals — especially estate hospitals — have many deficiencies: staff, equipment, and buildings.

¶ 08 In Opatawatta area of Godakawela electorate, there is no MOH office; people must go to Kahawatta or Godakawela. Although an MOH building was constructed earlier, now an Army camp occupies it; for years locals request its removal and restoration of the facility.

¶ 09 At Madhampe Estate Hospital, there is a severe bed shortage, inadequate buildings, and no ambulance or driver. At Rakwane Pradeshiya Hospital, there are major electrical faults; staff and doctors work under hazardous conditions without repairs.

¶ 10 At Palamkotte–Wilabadda MOH offices, buildings are derelict. People in Varanaya area near Godakawela town have long asked for an MOH office; they travel 4–5 km for basic needs. In Opanayake Dandeniya area, there is no estate medical centre; estate residents must travel far.

¶ 11 In the Sabaragamuwa region, a Pradeshiya Hospital lacks an ambulance; buildings are very old. Rural hospitals face many deficiencies. Given the large health allocation, a rapid programme is needed to upgrade rural, estate, and major hospitals to ensure free healthcare. Thank you.