The Hon. (Dr.) Sandaruwan Madarasinghe

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for the opportunity to speak on the NMRA Act regulations published by Extraordinary Gazette dated 21.07.2025 and presented on 07.10.2025.

¶ 02 Thousands of medicines and devices circulate in Sri Lanka; regulating them centrally is complex, and past Governments did not manage it well. A 2 April 2023 Sunday Digest in “Divaina” highlighted failures: Rs. 9.2 billion worth of substandard medicines imported and later withdrawn; patients harmed by shortages; a Rs. 998 million medicines laboratory unused; vaccine procurement mishaps; Rs. 1.166 billion extra spending due to procurement delays; Rs. 600 million advance payments by suppliers; and deletion of the NMRA data system. We inherited a broken system and are rebuilding to ensure supply, quality, and affordability.

¶ 03 Forecasting is crucial: hospital committees should meet monthly and forecast two years ahead. If adequate 2025 supplies had been forecast in 2023, current shortages would be less. Now, with MCP regulations, medicine prices will be reduced. On quality, we have the NMQAL, and we are working with the Science and Technology Ministry to build a world-standard lab, avoiding the need to send failed samples abroad.

¶ 04 On Suwaseriya: globally, ambulances are typically white with red markings; response benchmarks are 5–7 minutes. We must increase fleet and staffing to meet at least 7 minutes. The Health Minister has outlined steps to strengthen, not weaken, the 1990 service.

¶ 05 Regarding CT, MRI and X-ray machines, many are over 10 years old and beyond warranty; we are procuring replacements.

¶ 06 On another matter affecting my district: drug trafficking has surged, with recent seizures of over 800 kg of heroin and meth from southern seas and another 56 kg from a boat. We suspect political backing in the past. The Government is acting without fear or favour to create a country free of narcotics.

¶ 07 Thank you.