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

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, the Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah states that his Private Member’s Motion of 07 August 1992 regarding nurses’ uniforms was approved. However, our Ministry does not have any document indicating that such approval regarding official nurses’ uniforms was granted.

¶ 02 Further, Hon. Member, you say it has been 33–34 years since that motion. Several governments and Ministers of Health have served in that period, including the current Leader of the Opposition as a Deputy Minister of Health at one time. There is no record that such a change was implemented.

¶ 03 Decisions on official uniforms for posts within the Government health service are made by the Uniform Committee headed by the Director-General of Health Services. Matters concerning uniforms of nurses in private hospitals do not fall under this Committee. The Government has not made any decision to change the nurses’ official uniform. If anyone—practitioners in the field or relevant professional groups—has proposals or views on changing uniforms, they may submit them to the Uniform Committee. Considering professional dignity, the role of the uniform, and practical conditions—uniforms have been changed at various times—the Uniform Committee can decide. To date, the Government has not taken a decision on this matter.

¶ 04 Thank you.