The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana

¶ 01 Hon. Minister, you are the Chief Organizer of the Government. You spoke about communicable diseases and non-communicable diseases. Among the ways NCDs arise, one cause is excessive alcohol use, which leads to cirrhosis and many other illnesses. About two months ago, you presented to Parliament a list with details of 360 liquor licenses issued during the tenure of the previous Government under President Ranil Wickremesinghe. You clearly said those licenses were not issued through tenders but on political recommendations. We learned about the beneficiaries: a company called Ahaval/Ahachal with 68 licenses operating wine stores.

¶ 02 I make a request: in Kalutara District, six or seven liquor licenses have been newly issued. You tabled complete lists of those who received money from the President’s Fund and those compensated for property damage. Likewise, please present who recommended the issuance of wine store licenses in Kalutara District—was it an MP, an electoral organizer, a former minister, a friend, or an official? Presenting this will be good for both your and my future—both here and hereafter. Please provide this quickly.

¶ 03 People drink and ruin their lives; many drink from morning till night. If a public representative recommended these licenses, present those details to the House. I am not saying shut all wine stores—they impact the economy. I myself, speaking frankly, might have a small drink at a celebration. But if it becomes habitual, we end up in hospital. Therefore, please focus on this and tell us who recommended the liquor licenses for Kalutara District.

¶ 04 I also wish to remind you about the Neluwa Divisional Hospital near both your area and mine. Neluwa spans two Provinces—the Western and the Southern—and falls across Kalutara, Galle, and Matara Districts. The hospital is several kilometers from your birthplace. I recently visited—my daughter, a doctor, serves there. Speaking with patients, I found shortages. Innocent villagers who pluck tea and toil come there when ill. Not just after this Government—these shortages existed before. For example, when a minor surgery is needed, they lack sutures. Please look into these deficits.

¶ 05 Patients in some hospitals are told to bring blades for eye surgery, sutures, and medicines. Those who can afford it manage; those without means suffer. Outside hospitals, private counters have become black markets charging whatever they wish for medicines and supplies. People pawn belongings to buy them. Please pay special attention to this.

¶ 06 Finally, on NCDs: please launch a new initiative. Heart disease and diabetes are widespread—even schoolchildren now have diabetes. In our school days, we had physical education. Today, sports and exercise are lacking. We must start exercise from school, expand facilities, and inculcate habits early. We treat disease after it occurs; if we act from education upwards, we can reduce NCDs. Countries like Japan channel children into exercise through school systems. Our forefathers drew water from wells, walked, climbed trees—those activities are gone. Please give this special attention. If you fulfill these responsibilities, we can achieve positive outcomes in health. I wish you success in carrying them out. Thank you.