The Hon. Mujibur Rahman

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, thank you for the opportunity on the Heads of Expenditure of Health and Mass Media. Throughout this debate we’ve heard about salaries. The Health Minister has repeatedly explained SHED and pay issues, yet clear problems remain, leading to trade union action. Some matters went to court; some even summoned fuel station owners to the CID during that controversy. I cite this to show how low the argumentation fell—naming MPs’ relatives owning fuel stations as if that explains a nationwide strike. Tomorrow, if doctors strike, will you read lists of MPs’ doctor relatives? If teachers strike, will you name MPs’ teacher relatives? We should maintain higher standards of political debate.

¶ 02 On another day, if the census of infants is done from 8.00 to 8.05 a.m. and babies don’t show up, will you accuse the Opposition of telling babies not to come? Let’s avoid childish arguments; you came to power to change Rajapaksa-style politics, so change it.

¶ 03 Hon. Minister, regarding a serious matter at Lady Ridgeway Hospital in 2022: a three-year-old child, Hamdi Fasleem, admitted on 24 December 2022 for a left kidney infection, was operated on by Dr. Naveen Wijekoon. The child remained in ICU and passed away on 27 July 2023. Later, in early January 2024, Dr. Wijekoon reportedly left the country. The parents attempted to meet Consultant Dr. Malik Samarasinghe; only via private channeling could they meet, and were told “something happened; we will correct it”—after the child had died.

¶ 04 Pre-operative records show both kidneys present. An ultrasound from Asiri Surgical Hospital dated 10.02.2021 states: “Left kidney is enlarged with gross hydronephrosis. Right kidney is also prominent in size,” with measurements (right 6.7 cm; left 8.9 cm). Post-op, LRH Histopathology Laboratory (Dr. S. Gunarathna) records receipt of the left kidney specimen. In court, doctors’ statements have been contradictory—some later claimed a horseshoe kidney, whereas reports indicated a duplex system, not horseshoe. Despite questions raised earlier with former Health Ministers Keheliya Rambukwella and Ramesh Pathirana—who promised reports—nothing was provided. I urge you to ensure justice for this poor family by conducting a proper Ministry investigation. They have the right to know what happened to their child’s organs. There have been past probes into illegal organ trade; please act swiftly here.

¶ 05 Next, you stated basic pay of nurses is Rs. 104,000. But for a Grade III nurse, even with your April 2025 increases, the basic is Rs. 71,793—not one lakh. Please correct the data. Also, nurses’ overtime structures and promotion timelines have changed—some now wait excessively long (even 31 years) for Grade I. Please review and ensure fairness.

¶ 06 On procurements in 2022–2023: there were large overpayments. GE Healthcare Ireland supplied contrast media at Rs. 2,025 per unit for 34,000 units (about Rs. 137 million). In the same period, Sunshine Healthcare Lanka supplied 22,500 units at Rs. 75,628 per unit. The price gap is massive; total payments reportedly around Rs. 1.7 billion. These companies are still registered with the Ministry. Please investigate urgently how such gouging occurred and hold culpable parties accountable. Vendors often ensnare incoming ministers; beware and probe.

¶ 07 On media: while in Opposition we opposed the Online Safety Act. Why has it not been repealed? If you intend a new bill, consult social media stakeholders and platforms. Until then, please immediately repeal the current Online Safety Act. If someone defames or breaks the law, existing laws suffice; there is no need for draconian controls. Thank you.