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

Jathika Jana balawegaya· Kalutara· 21 October 2025 ·Oral question: Oral Question 2 (825/2025): Ministry of Health - Purchase of Medicines

Public FinanceHealthcare

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Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the Rs. 183.8 billion allocation for 2025 covers medicines and medical devices through SPC, SPMC, local manufacturers, and local purchases, and is a Treasury-provided envelope with scope for reallocations rather than a response to a prior shortfall. He said the Government aims to maintain uninterrupted medical supplies, while acknowledging that quality failures or supplier issues may cause occasional delays. He also informed Parliament that the interim injunction relating to the Gazette had been vacated, with the next court date set for 30 October, and that there was no current court order preventing Parliament from debating and approving it, after which the NMRA could implement maximum ceiling and retail prices.

Verbatim record (translated)

Machine-translated from Sinhala / Tamil / English

¶ 01 The total Rs. 183.8 billion covers medicines and medical devices across SPC, SPMC, local manufacturers, and local purchases, with room for reallocations. It is a Treasury-provided envelope for 2025 and is not due to any prior shortfall.

¶ 02 On shortages: Our aim is uninterrupted supply, and we are doing everything possible. However, unforeseen quality failures or supplier-side issues can occur globally, causing occasional delays. We will manage these to ensure maximum availability.

¶ 03 On the debate: The interim injunction has been vacated; the next court date is 30th October. There is no subsisting interim order preventing Parliament from approving the Gazette. Therefore, the debate can proceed and, if approved, NMRA will have authority to implement maximum ceiling and retail prices.

Provenance

Source: Hansard, Tuesday, 21 October 2025 ·No. 22635 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
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Cite as: Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media. 10th Parliament, Parliament of Sri Lanka. Hansard, 21 October 2025. No. 22635. Politick, https://staging.politick.io/lk/speeches/29509