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

¶ 01 Madam Presiding Member, in the Committee Stage of the 2026 Budget, I wish to address several key institutions.

¶ 02 First, Parliament’s staff. In 2025 they shouldered an expanded workload—engaging with two Budgets, in March and this November. Although we debated 52 sitting days, staff put in over two months of extended effort. On behalf of the Government, I extend special thanks to the Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General, Assistant Secretaries-General, Chief of Staff, and approximately 850 staff, as well as around 450 police officers and utility personnel supporting Parliament.

¶ 03 The Opposition has pressed that too few laws were passed last year. Historically, in the first year after a general election, any Government passes fewer laws. Records since 2000 show: 2001 – 11 laws; 2004 – 15; 2010 – 20; 2015 – 16; 2020 – 7; 2025 – 22. Thus, in first years, our Government has passed the highest number—22. You compare with 2024? Many of your 2024 laws were private organization incorporation Acts—Matara Sama Organization (Incorporation), Shailee Educational Foundation, Sri Maitri Pragarthha Buddhist Dhamma Sabha, BIS Foundation, Sri Balaabhivrudhi Development Society, Samadhi Community Development Foundation, and the Pavithra Wanniarachchi Charitable Foundation (Incorporation) Act, No. 31 of 2024, among others.

¶ 04 On independent commissions: since the 17th Amendment introduced them, they have been alternately strengthened and weakened (18th, 19th, 20th). For nearly 24 years, no uninterrupted stability. Our discourse still focuses on “why we need them” rather than on improving their functionality as governance evolves. Commissions should facilitate national needs, not become bottlenecks.

¶ 05 In Health, we urgently need to appoint trained cadres. Since 2021, there have been vacancies for Deputy Director-General (DDG)-level posts in Health Services. National Hospitals require acting arrangements because permanent appointments are stalled. When appointing to top administrative grades, the Public Service Commission should consider sectoral needs, not merely paperwork, so that DDG and Senior Administrative Grade postings can proceed, cascading properly to junior grades.

¶ 06 On the anti-narcotics and anti-underworld drive, postings and transfers in Police must support operations. If the system delays, the underworld and black money trade grows. We need both brakes and an accelerator—safeguarding independence while enabling delivery.

¶ 07 On pharmaceuticals and medical supplies: WHO indicates typical lead times (ordering, manufacture, delivery) are about nine weeks. Medicines are not like onions or sugar. Under normal procedures, delays are inevitable; in a constrained system with shortages, we must be flexible to secure supplies for patients.

¶ 08 On Presidential expenditure and advisers: Previously, the Government benches argued for reductions; now the Opposition asks us to spend more, hire more advisers, take more vehicles, more security, more travel. When President Anura Kumara Dissanayake assumed office, his predecessor President Ranil Wickremesinghe had 39 advisers, all State-funded. Our President has five: Dr. Hans Wijesuriya; Prof. Gomika Udugamasooriya; Mr. Duminda Hulangamuwa; President’s Counsel J. M. Wijebandara; and senior media professional Chandana Suriabandara—serving voluntarily, without pay. They are highly capable professionals.

¶ 09 Interjection: “Duminda Hulangamuwa and Hans Wijesuriya advised Gotabaya too.” Expertise is not the issue; whether their advice is heeded is.

¶ 10 On State Ministers: earlier, State Ministers enjoyed full Cabinet-level perks, except Cabinet seating. We have appointed no State Ministers. Ministries now have a Cabinet Minister with one or two Deputies. We issued a circular on 21 January 2025 restricting ministerial facilities—no family hires in staff, capped fuel, vehicles, and telecoms. Previously, a State Minister alone incurred roughly Rs. 500,000 per month in extra upkeep; ministers and deputies had up to six vehicles. Monthly ministerial costs ran to Rs. 800,000–900,000. We have curtailed these, including eliminating multiple official telephone connections at residences.

¶ 11 Madam Presiding Member: You have two more minutes. Response: I’ll take five more.

¶ 12 Further reductions: In 2024, besides 39 advisers, there were 23 Presidential Coordinating Secretaries. Now there is only one. Staff at the Presidential Secretariat reduced from 1,252 to 803; cadre of non-executive staff cut from 963 to 633. Salaries and allowances fell from Rs. 104 million (to Sept 2024) to Rs. 79 million.

¶ 13 Specifics from 2022–2024: Akila Viraj Kariyawasam drew Rs. 4.013 million as Presidential Adviser (salary, fuel, allowances). Ashu Marasinghe drew Rs. 3.484 million; Uddhika Premarathna Rs. 425,000; Rosy Senanayake Rs. 701,000; Sagala Ratnayaka Rs. 7.309 million; others included Vadivel Suresh, Harin Fernando, Manusha Nanayakkara, Ruwan Wijewardene, Dinesh Weerakkody.

¶ 14 Presidential expenses: In the first nine months of 2024, former President Wickremesinghe’s recurrent cost was Rs. 715 million; our President’s first nine months: Rs. 279 million—a reduction of Rs. 435 million. Advisers and personal staff: Rs. 403 million then, Rs. 145 million now—a Rs. 258 million cut. Fines and penalties: Rs. 255.8 million then, Rs. 80 million now—a Rs. 175 million cut. Fuel: Rs. 57.9 million then, Rs. 18.9 million now. Total presidential spend first nine months: Rs. 857 million then, Rs. 364 million now—a Rs. 493 million reduction.

¶ 15 Presidential Secretariat general administration: first nine months 2024 Rs. 1,887 million; now Rs. 1,324 million. Recurrent: Rs. 1,661 million then; Rs. 1,199 million now. Foreign and domestic travel: Rs. 11.9 million then; Rs. 3.6 million now. Fuel: Rs. 263 million then; Rs. 140 million now. Vehicle maintenance: Rs. 122 million then; Rs. 82.9 million now.

¶ 16 Former Presidents’ entitlements: Recurrent—first nine months 2024: Rs. 38.9 million; now Rs. 24.2 million. Capital: Rs. 27.9 million then; Rs. 17 million now. Total: Rs. 66.9 million then; Rs. 41.2 million now, and from October onward reduced further due to benefit cuts.

¶ 17 Foreign travel comparison: Former President Wickremesinghe—2022: 4 trips with 64 persons at Rs. 129.3 million; 2023: 16 trips with 269 persons at Rs. 577.9 million; 2024: 5 trips with 115 persons at Rs. 300 million. Total 24 trips, 385 persons, Rs. 1,007.3 million over 22 months. Our President (Dec 2024–Sept 2025): 8 trips with total cost Rs. 14.98 million—India (Rs. 1.2m), China (Rs. 0.8m), UAE (Rs. 0.58m), Vietnam (Rs. 1.98m), Germany (Rs. 4.08m), Maldives (Rs. 0.7m), USA and Japan for UNGA (Rs. 5.5m).

¶ 18 Vehicle auctions at the Presidential Secretariat were conducted in two rounds; vehicles fetched prices above valuation—e.g., a vehicle valued at Rs. 14.5 million sold for Rs. 29.7 million; one at Rs. 10.2 million sold for Rs. 19.6 million; one at Rs. 0.6 million sold for Rs. 1.2 million. In Feb 2025, valuation total was Rs. 105 million; sales realized Rs. 205 million. In May 2025, valuations Rs. 154 million; sales Rs. 191 million. Earlier allegations (e.g., from Anuradhapura) that units sold below valuation were withdrawn with apologies. We are managing State funds with discipline and cutting costs while delivering results: stabilizing and growing the economy. That is good governance in practice. Thank you.