The Hon. (Dr.) Elayathamby Srinath

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, my greetings to you and to all. Thank you for the opportunity to speak on the Health Ministry.

¶ 02 For 2025, about Rs. 508.5 billion—around 12%—has been allocated to Health. I thank the Minister and health authorities. You have planned many good initiatives: Triposha nutrition, Suwaseriya ambulance service, and support to pensioners, among others. As a doctor, I commend these.

¶ 03 I must raise Batticaloa issues. The Eastern Province’s major Teaching Hospital is in Batticaloa and needs significant development. For years, it has lacked an MRI machine; last Committee meeting, assurance was given to supply one this time. The cath lab should also proceed. Last year, draft documents cited ADB support for MRI, cath lab, and CT scan. This year it appears only the MRI is confirmed. As a former in‑service trainee there, I urge you—Hon. Minister—to drive major upgrades at Batticaloa Teaching Hospital during your tenure, including cath lab and CT via this Budget allocation.

¶ 04 Beyond that, through our Regional Health Services we must progress. Over 90% of hospitals in the North and East—especially Batticaloa—are under the Provincial Council, yet allocations are limited. Two Type A Base Hospitals—Kattankudy and Valachchenai—face severe cadre shortages. Kattankudy has no consultant anaesthetist or paediatrician, though it serves over 150,000 people. Valachchenai lacks even an accountant though it is a Type A base hospital. Please address these.

¶ 05 Public Health must be strengthened; robust primary care reduces costs. In Batticaloa we have 14 MOH areas, but many vehicles are over 30 years old—dengue fogging runs with vehicles as smoky as foggers. Please replace them. The SKS dengue suppression staff recruited during Good Governance were later victimized and remain on Rs. 20,000–21,000 for years, even through COVID and economic crisis. Please regularize them during your tenure.

¶ 06 A non‑health but related issue: births and deaths for Valachchenai Base Hospital (situated in Koralaipattu) are now registered at Koralaipattu DS, but the recognized base hospital for that division is Valachchenai itself, adjacent to the MOH office. Please look into this carefully.

¶ 07 In Siddha (traditional) medicine: 2,258 are in service; 1,624 qualified remain awaiting appointments. We must not abandon this national heritage; please provide employment pathways.

¶ 08 Trincomalee lacks an oncology (cancer) treatment unit—please establish one.

¶ 09 In Batticaloa West/Paduvankarai, many villages lie 10–20 km away; their small rural hospitals need upgrading—for example, upgrade Mahiladittivu Hospital.

¶ 10 On media: in the past, media freedom was suppressed; now it is somewhat relieved. In Batticaloa, even issuing media IDs was difficult. Please facilitate recognition via the Batticaloa Free Journalists’ Association and issue IDs. Journalists were assaulted and killed, especially in the North and East. Ensure genuine freedom and recognition for the profession. Please commit to developing Batticaloa’s health sector during your tenure. Thank you.