The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni - Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media

¶ 01 Answers to Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara’s questions:

¶ 02 1) Each year, state and private universities produce a large number of Allied Health graduates, and many also return from abroad. Exact aggregate numbers are not within this Ministry’s syllabus remit; therefore, precise figures cannot be given.

¶ 03 2) To fill existing vacancies, Gazette No. 2389 of 14.06.2024 called for applications to recruit Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLT/Medical Laboratory Scientists), Physiotherapists, Radiographers, and Audiology Technicians; and Gazette No. 2385 of 17.05.2024 called for applications to recruit Speech and Language Therapists. A proposal to recruit 100 Pharmacists has been forwarded to the Prime Minister’s Secretary’s Committee for approval.

¶ 04 3) Vacancies as at 01.04.2025 for supplementary health professions: - Medical Laboratory Technologists: Approved 2,315; In post 2,014; Vacancies 301. - Pharmacists: Approved 2,171; In post 2,032; Vacancies 139. - Radiographers: Approved 1,069; In post 714; Vacancies 355. - Physiotherapists: Approved 825; In post 625; Vacancies 200. - Audiology Technicians: Approved 636; In post 608; Vacancies 28. - Speech and Language Therapists: Approved 149; In post 92; Vacancies 57. - Occupational Therapists: Approved 266; In post 227; Vacancies 39.

¶ 05 4) A General Knowledge and Intelligence (IQ) paper was administered. Applicants who sat: 105.

¶ 06 5) Recruitment can only be made to the extent of existing vacancies for Allied Health cadres within the Ministry of Health.

¶ 07 Clarification: This issue has persisted for years. Recruitment is to ensure better service delivery to patients. The Public Service Commission, after inquiry, required that eligible candidates sit a common examination (general knowledge and IQ), consistent with broader public service recruitment practices. For categories where applicants were fewer than vacancies (e.g., Radiographers, Audiology Technicians), recruitment has proceeded without an exam. For others, opposition to the exam and politicization have delayed matters. Previously, with the exam, around 75% of those sitting could have been appointed immediately, with more vacancies coming online within months for the rest. We remain open to dialogue. If re-gazetting is required, we will proceed; in some categories, where applicants are fewer than vacancies, appointments can proceed without an exam. Our aim is to fill posts quickly without disadvantaging anyone.

¶ 08 In response to concerns: We cannot now limit recruitment to state-university graduates only; for years private and foreign graduates have also been eligible without major objection. Where applicants are fewer than vacancies, no exam will be held and appointments can proceed. We remain open to discussion. Thank you.