Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana

¶ 01 Mr. Chairman, first, I wish the Hon. Nalinda Jayatissa—who hails from our district—success as Minister of Health and Mass Media, Chief Government Whip, and Cabinet Spokesman. You are capable. Yesterday there was talk of an indefinite doctors’ strike starting today, and other staff and nurses also preparing for action. You engaged with unions and defused it today. Strikes hurt patients most. My respects for bringing them back to dialogue. But it must be a permanent solution, not a temporary plaster. As a fellow doctor, you know the hardships. With many doctors in this House, I do not believe Parliament will act against them. Please deliver a fair solution for all health staff.

¶ 02 Given the economic constraints, decisions are hard, but health is an essential, free public service. Do not let injustice push staff into trade union action, causing poor patients to die without access to private care.

¶ 03 You stated Rs. 479 billion for the Ministry and Rs. 604 billion for the entire health sector—prioritized well.

¶ 04 Another matter: in our district, under a former Health Minister, persons were recruited for dengue control. They now languish with about Rs. 20,000, neither here nor there. Many are from Kalutara. Please take a decision on regularizing them.

¶ 05 Hon. Minister, as Sinhala Buddhists we value gratitude. The Buddha taught that a grateful, thankful person is rare. Leaders like Mahinda Rajapaksa developed their regions while serving the country—expressing gratitude to their people. President Maithripala Sirisena developed hospitals and roads in Polonnaruwa. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s Budget includes development in Thambuttegama where he was born—again, gratitude. Likewise, I request you to pay special attention to hospitals in Kalutara District—the people who supported your political journey. Ultimately, only our deeds remain. As an elder from your district, I offer friendly counsel: like our late senior Kumara Welgama, let us act beyond party lines. Please develop the health sector in Kalutara for its people, and for the whole country.