The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, I will provide a detailed reply on measures to avert medicine shortages and the other questions on the next sitting day. On the specific PACS issue: in 2018, agreements were signed as an unsolicited proposal for 20 hospitals at a value of USD 33 million, implemented by about five foreign firms. Work has lapsed; payments are under audit review and complaints are before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption. Only about five hospitals have partial implementation; most remain inactive. Given serious concerns flagged by audits and CIABOC, progress has stalled. We are exploring limited activation for the five hospitals while addressing the findings. This unsolicited, non-piloted project dates to 2015–2020.

¶ 02 Regarding the Kalutara (Nagoda) CT scanner, there has been around a 1.5-year delay. The Biomedical Engineering Service intervened last Saturday as well to expedite port clearance. We aim to deliver it urgently. There are also supplier-related issues, for which the Ministry is intervening. A full response to the remaining questions will be provided on the next day.