The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, first I thank the Hon. Minister for responding. In 2018, from the Opposition benches I presented the Suwa Seriya Foundation Act. The name “Suwa Seriya” has no political agenda. In Sinhala and Tamil, it is the same meaning. The Act nowhere names it the “National Emergency Ambulance Service.” However, I have seen a new letterhead stating “National Emergency Ambulance Service,” with “Suwa Seriya Foundation” in small, barely visible print. Please don’t change the brand—people love and recognize it. Also, do not change its objective. The Act’s objective is “pre-hospital ambulance service and emergency response.” That is first aid/emergency response; ambulances transport patients. It is a pre-hospital ambulance service. The World Bank still recognizes it as a top-tier ambulance service. We wish you well and note Rs. 5 billion allocated last year and again this year—but please don’t make these changes.