Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for the opportunity.

¶ 02 In today’s debate on the Head of Expenditure of the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, 22 Opposition MPs and 13 Government MPs, including myself—35 MPs—spoke, presenting important national-level and practical proposals across health, indigenous medicine, media and postal sectors. Many drew attention to regional health issues. I thank all Members who contributed.

¶ 03 Regarding Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital under our Ministry, begun with Japanese assistance in the 1980s, we believe its model should be reviewed and the hospital fully reorganized. The Seeduwa Vijaya Kumaratunga Hospital, also under us as a separate unit, should be developed as a specialized hospital.

¶ 04 Many from the Opposition spoke about salaries. This matter has gone beyond mere debate. In this Budget, we have significantly increased basic pay for the health service in recognition of their sacrifices to keep services running. We hope those in the sector will understand this, which is why trade union actions planned for the 5th, 6th and 7th of this month have been deferred or reconsidered.

¶ 05 Some Opposition figures cited incorrect statistics. For example, the salary increase for a doctor is between Rs. 40,000 and Rs. 80,000. For a paramedical officer, Rs. 22,000 to Rs. 44,000; for a nursing officer, Rs. 22,000 to Rs. 44,000. All these increases will be completed within about 20 months—unlike the 2016 increases which stretched over stages till 2020, with allowances like OT, Extra Duty and PH introduced only after 2018 and without arrears from 2016. Therefore, it is not fair to criticize when we have substantially increased basic pay to retain professionals and ensure dignified lives.

¶ 06 In media, we aim to foster a developed media culture. There has been a decline in standards; we must not allow this to continue into the next generation. We will manage the four state media institutions as models, uniting all people through national media to build a prosperous and harmonious nation.

¶ 07 Some Members alleged we altered Muslim-language services during this festive period. Previously, the Muslim service on the Tamil channel aired 8.00–9.00 p.m.; now it airs 7.00–8.00 p.m. The 6.00 p.m. news has been moved to 7.00 p.m., and limited to ten minutes during this special religious season to broadcast Ramadan-related content from 6.00 p.m. We have not discriminated on race, religion or language.

¶ 08 We seek quality services from all channels. We will further develop Tamil-language services while making all channels true national media. We aim to strengthen institutions like Lake House. With proper investment and the voluntary contribution of many knowledgeable professionals in our country, we can quickly transform these institutions. Allegations that these institutions do not pay VAT are false. For the past five months we have paid VAT as due, and we are settling arrears as well.

¶ 09 Our Ministry spans 41 institutions, plus the Neville Fernando Hospital under the Treasury now under us as the 42nd. I thank the President and my Cabinet colleagues for allocating about Rs. 604 billion to our Ministry, and the Secretary to the Treasury and officials for facilitating this.

¶ 10 We took over a health sector in which public trust had been damaged. Today, thanks to the Ministry Secretary and staff—over 150,000 personnel—the Ministry is regaining public confidence. That is a significant achievement. I thank our Secretary, Additional Secretaries, Director-General of Health Services, Ayurveda Commissioner-General, Deputy Director-Generals, Chief Financial Officers, Accountants, Heads of Institutions and all 150,000 staff. Through your dedication we can deliver better services. To do even more, let us move forward with self-confidence and courage. As Minister, together with State Minister Hon. Hansaka Wijemuni, we will provide the necessary political leadership—not as authoritarians, but as one family.

¶ 11 Our Ministerial Advisory Committee Members divided subjects and contributed significantly to this debate. I extend special thanks to all Members of the Advisory Committee. We will continue to manage the Advisory Committee effectively and productively.

¶ 12 Finally, while regional issues are important, we intend to strengthen devolved structures so that provincial-level discussions and decisions can address local matters efficiently, freeing the Advisory Committee’s time for parliamentary processes, policy and major initiatives. With the funds allocated by this Budget, we will spend every rupee for maximum efficiency and effectiveness for the people. Let us continue as one team. Thank you.