The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of Opposition

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, under Standing Order 27(2), I raise the following Question by Private Notice.

¶ 02 According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, health is recognized as a human right. The present Government, through its policy statement, has pledged to establish an efficient health service, provide care aligned with global standards, and safeguard patients’ rights and safety.

¶ 03 However, due to numerous and serious problems currently prevailing in the health sector, both patients and health workers are facing severe hardships. I therefore direct the Government’s attention to the following nationally important questions:

¶ 04 1. By a newspaper notice dated 2025.10.12, the name of the 1990 “Suwa Seriya” Foundation’s ambulance service—established to provide free pre-hospital ambulance and emergency response services to anyone—has reportedly been changed to “1990 Sri Lanka Emergency Medical Service.” For what reason has this name been changed? Has the colour of the ambulances also been changed? If so, from when?

¶ 05 2. Has the Government taken a policy decision to change the objective of the 1990 Suwa Seriya ambulance service, which is globally recognized for rapidly reaching accident sites? During the past year, what regulations, if any, has the Minister of Health gazetted under the Suwa Seriya Foundation Act regarding the provision of emergency response and pre-hospital care? Can these be presented to this House?

¶ 06 Mr. Speaker, when the 1990 Suwa Seriya ambulance service was introduced to this country, there was propaganda that it was a foreign espionage conspiracy. We must especially thank Hon. Harsha de Silva, because through his leadership that Suwa Seriya project was gifted to the people. Why change its name? Why change its colour? What shame is there in continuing it as it is?

¶ 07 Further, following the economic crisis, the number of doctors, specialist doctors, and nurses leaving the country has increased significantly. For the years 2023, 2024 and 2025 respectively, how many doctors, specialists, nurses and other medical professionals have left, disaggregated by category? Can the Government present, by category, the number of vacancies that have arisen in Government hospitals as a result? Does the Government accept that inadequate remuneration for health sector personnel is causing this brain drain? What specific measures has the Ministry of Health taken so far to prevent it?

¶ 08 Does the Government know there is a shortage of AVF fistula needles required for haemodialysis in Government hospitals for kidney patients? What urgent measures will the Government take to provide relief to impoverished kidney patients affected by this?

¶ 09 In difficult areas like Kebithigollewa, due to deficiencies in physical and human resources in Government hospitals, both staff and the public suffer. What urgent program does the Government have to address this?

¶ 10 Recently we donated a haemodialysis kit to the Kebithigollewa Hospital. The hospital had prepared a good forward development plan. We urge the Government to implement it expeditiously: construct new medical and surgical complexes most needed in those areas; develop the dialysis unit; and build official quarters for staff. Has the Government already focused on these issues? If not, why?

¶ 11 Hon. Minister, there is a serious staff issue there. I request your attention and a solution.

¶ 12 With GCE (O/L) qualifications, 301 Field Mosquito Control Assistants’ contracts were extended by one year by a Cabinet memorandum dated 2023.10.01. Why was no Cabinet memorandum submitted in 2025 to extend their contracts further?

¶ 13 Is the Government aware of the hardships and economic difficulties these mosquito control assistants now face due to non-extension of contracts? As larvicide spraying is essential for public health protection, does the Government have a plan to ensure continuity of their service and job security?

¶ 14 Has the Government taken a policy decision to absorb these mosquito control assistants into permanent service? If so, what is the timeline?