Topic
Healthcare
895 speeches · 200 speakers
Party share
By the speaker's party · counts only, no scoring. "Unattributed" = speeches not resolved to an MP.
Most active on this topic
| # | Member | Speeches |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa, M.P. JJB | 185 |
| 2 | Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni, M.P. JJB | 62 |
| 3 | Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna, M.P. Independent Group 17 - Jaffna | 50 |
| 4 | Hon. Sajith Premadasa, M.P. SJB | 25 |
| 5 | Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera, M.P. JJB | 18 |
| 6 | Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran, M.P. ITAK | 17 |
| 7 | Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney at Law, M.P. SJB | 17 |
| 8 | Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana, M.P. SJB | 14 |
| 9 | Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka, M.P. SJB | 13 |
| 10 | Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna, M.P. SJB | 13 |
Speeches
895 on this topic- 21 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Janaka Senarathna JJB AI summary Dr. Janaka Senarathna noted that the objectives of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act, No. 5 of 2015, including fair pricing and access to medicines and devices, have not yet been fully realized after ten and a half years. He emphasized strengthening health system inputs—financing, workforce, infrastructure, and governance—citing renewed nurse recruitment, the rollout of Primary Medical Care Units, and the need to reduce catastrophic household health expenditure. He called for continued investment in the health system alongside full implementation of the NMRA pricing framework to protect households and improve access. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka supported the NMRA Regulations on medicine quality, maximum retail prices and distribution controls, while raising concerns that the health system has not fully recovered from the 2022 economic crisis. He cited continuing shortages of medicines, dialysis consumables, suture materials, testing supplies, imaging services, oncology drugs and functioning equipment, with specific references to the National Hospital, Kandy, Karapitiya Teaching Hospital and ambulance availability. He urged the Minister to verify and address these problems, reduce burdens on poor and elderly patients, and preserve the established name, number and branding of the 1990 Suwaseriya ambulance service. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nihal Abeysinghe JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nihal Abeysinghe supported the Health Ministry’s medicine price-control regulations, arguing that a transparent pricing formula is necessary because Sri Lanka relies heavily on imported medicines and patients cannot assess pharmaceutical quality or resist arbitrary pricing. He said the formula should account for CIF costs, levies, and supply-chain margins while ensuring timely access to safe, quality medicines at fair prices, particularly for chronic and emergency patients. He also called for expanded local manufacturing, stronger laboratory quality assurance, rational prescribing and public awareness, and continuous monitoring to prevent high out-of-pocket health costs. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana welcomed the NMRA Regulations, arguing that they should help prevent medicine shortages, ensure quality, and keep prices fair amid risks of profiteering and malpractice in the pharmaceutical sector. He asked the Health Minister to give special attention to deficiencies in Kalutara District hospitals, including Nagoda Hospital and rural facilities such as those serving estate communities, citing shortages and lack of basic infrastructure. He also urged Health Ministry action against unjustified private-sector medicine price increases and requested clarification on public confusion caused by reports about bans on professional designation stickers on vehicle windscreens. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary The Minister explained the legal and procedural basis for the NMRA’s medicine price regulation, citing the NMRA Act and past court challenges, and sought Parliamentary approval for the regulations gazetted on 7 October 2025 following stakeholder consultation. He outlined the new framework for Maximum Retail Prices and Maximum Ceiling Prices, including appeal mechanisms, semi-annual reviews, and enforcement under Section 131. He also reported improvements in NMRA capacity, reduced file backlogs, increased testing, and ongoing certification upgrades, while addressing hospital medicine shortages as operational stock-management issues being met through central supply, local purchases, and procurement acceleration. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Hon. Ajith P. Perera supported the 2025 NMRA Regulations introducing Maximum Retail Price and Maximum Distribution Price mechanisms, while stressing that medicine quality assurance, regulatory capacity, and post-market surveillance must be strengthened alongside price controls. He highlighted shortages of essential medicines in state hospitals, including reported shortages at Kalutara General Hospital, and called for more efficient, transparent procurement, including accelerated e-procurement, to ensure timely supply. He welcomed assurances that the Suwaseriya ambulance service would retain its identity and purpose, urged clearer government communication on the matter, and requested priority for upgrading Panadura Base Hospital. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera supported the Regulations under the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act, noting that the NMRA regulates registration, importation, inspection, quality assessment and approval of medicines, a process that can take around 300 days. He said previous price control arrangements lacked a clear methodology and led to legal challenges and inconsistent determinations. He stated that the new Regulations provide a structured basis for maximum retail prices and ceiling prices, using factors such as CIF value, duties, logistics and distribution costs, with the aim of improving affordability in both public and private sectors. Debate: Regulations under National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No. 5 of 2015 Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary Assured Parliament that the proposed changes are intended to strengthen and develop the service, not to make arbitrary alterations. He rejected suggestions that the Government would seek ad hoc approvals for routine matters such as changing tyres or batteries. Question by Private Notice (SO 27(2)): Health Services and Drug Shortages Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary The Minister said the Government is continuing and modernizing health initiatives begun by previous Health Ministers, including ambulance services. He stated that discussions are ongoing with emergency physicians on improving in-hospital ambulances and the 1990 Suwa Seriya service, with emphasis on service enhancement and public recognition rather than changes to its number, colour, logo, or foundation. He added that a new board with military, business, medical, and legal expertise has been appointed by the President to support the programme. Question by Private Notice (SO 27(2)): Health Services and Drug Shortages Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva urged the Government not to alter the name or objective of the Suwa Seriya service, noting that the Suwa Seriya Foundation Act he presented in 2018 does not refer to a “National Emergency Ambulance Service.” He said the service is widely recognized by the public and by the World Bank, and emphasized that its statutory purpose is pre-hospital ambulance service and emergency response. He also acknowledged the allocation of Rs. 5 billion in the previous year and the current year, while requesting that the existing branding and mandate be preserved. Question by Private Notice (SO 27(2)): Health Services and Drug Shortages Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised concerns about widespread shortages of medicines, consumables, surgical sutures, imaging services and cardiac surgery capacity in public hospitals, citing Kalutara Hospital and major national hospitals, and tabled a document on shortages. He urged the Government to include strong financial penalties in tender agreements when suppliers provide incorrect dialysis needles, and questioned the Consumer Affairs Authority’s response to sharp retail price increases, calling for raids and public identification of profiteers. He described the matter as a national issue affecting the hospital system and requested urgent remedial action. Question by Private Notice (SO 27(2)): Health Services and Drug Shortages Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said no decision had been taken to change the Suwa Seriya Foundation, the “1990” identity, or the green ambulance colour, and that the Government was instead focusing on modernization, recruitment, training, and expanding the fleet with allocations and support from India and the ADB. He stated that no new regulations or policy changes had been made under the Suwa Seriya Act regarding its emergency response purpose. Addressing health-sector staffing, he gave cadre, recruitment, training, and salary revision figures for doctors, nurses, and medical laboratory technologists, saying retention measures include pay increases and administrative improvements within fiscal limits. He also said dialysis fistula needle shortages arose from procurement specification issues, local price spikes had followed, and 460,000 rotatable needles were being cleared for hospital distribution within about a week. Question by Private Notice (SO 27(2)): Health Services and Drug Shortages Read →
- 21 October 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of Opposition SJB AI summary Under Standing Order 27(2), Sajith Premadasa raised a Private Notice Question on several issues in the health sector, citing the Government’s policy commitments on health services and patient safety. He questioned the reported renaming and possible recolouring of the 1990 “Suwa Seriya” ambulance service, asked whether its objectives or regulations under the Suwa Seriya Foundation Act had changed, and requested data and measures relating to the migration of doctors, specialists, nurses and other health professionals. He also sought urgent action on shortages affecting haemodialysis patients, resource and staffing deficiencies at Kebithigollewa Hospital, and implementation of its development plan, including dialysis, medical and surgical facilities and staff quarters. He further asked why the contracts of 301 Field Mosquito Control Assistants had not been extended in 2025, and whether the Government would ensure continuity of their public health functions, job security, or permanent absorption. Question by Private Notice (SO 27(2)): Health Services and Drug Shortages Read →
- 21 October 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the Rs. 183.8 billion allocation for 2025 covers medicines and medical devices through SPC, SPMC, local manufacturers, and local purchases, and is a Treasury-provided envelope with scope for reallocations rather than a response to a prior shortfall. He said the Government aims to maintain uninterrupted medical supplies, while acknowledging that quality failures or supplier issues may cause occasional delays. He also informed Parliament that the interim injunction relating to the Gazette had been vacated, with the next court date set for 30 October, and that there was no current court order preventing Parliament from debating and approving it, after which the NMRA could implement maximum ceiling and retail prices. Oral Question 2 (825/2025): Ministry of Health - Purchase of Medicines Read →
- 21 October 2025 Hon. S. M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S. M. Marikkar raised a procedural concern that a writ application filed by the Sri Lanka Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry on the matter under discussion was pending before court, questioning whether it was appropriate for Parliament to debate it. He also asked for an assurance that there would be no medicine shortages in the following year, noting that tenders for 2026 were being processed during 2025. Oral Question 2 (825/2025): Ministry of Health - Purchase of Medicines Read →
- 21 October 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa explained that medical supply orders tendered in 2024 are being delivered in 2025, while 2026 orders reached the Medical Supplies Division before 31 January and tenders have already commenced, with many concluded. He stated that the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation allocation has been increased from Rs. 60 billion to Rs. 90 billion, with a further Rs. 20 billion expected, and expressed confidence that deliveries from placed tenders will arrive by March next year. He also noted that some tenders require retendering due to no bids or supplier-related issues and said he would table the relevant figures. Oral Question 2 (825/2025): Ministry of Health - Purchase of Medicines Read →
- 21 October 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media JJB AI summary The Minister of Health and Mass Media stated that the expected 2025 expenditure on medicines by the Ministry of Health and affiliated institutions is Rs. 183.8 billion, including major allocations to SPC, SPMC, MSD, local hospital emergency purchases, AIIB-supported procurement, and Indigenous Medicine. He said 862 priority items have been approved, with 246 to be procured locally and 616 imported, and that orders for imported items were placed through SPC by 31 January with Rs. 90 billion allocated, expected to rise by a further Rs. 20 billion. He outlined the procurement process based on formulary committee recommendations, institutional estimates, and tender procedures, and stated that supplier delays are handled under contract terms while shortages are managed jointly by SPC and MSD. Oral Question 2 (825/2025): Ministry of Health - Purchase of Medicines Read →
- 21 October 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa presented the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Health and Media report covering regulations under the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act relating to medicine pricing and stakeholder recommendations, published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2446/34 of 21 July 2025. He also tabled the 2023 annual reports of the 1990 Suwa Seriya Foundation and the State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation, which were ordered to lie upon the Table. Presentation of Papers and Committee Reports Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni - Deputy Minister of Health JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister of Health stated that some MRI scanners and angiography systems are malfunctioning because they have exceeded their typical 15–20-year service life. He said the Ministry is repairing equipment where possible and has begun procurement to replace obsolete units. Private Members' Motion P.46/2025: National Drug Quality Assurance Laboratory Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana called for Sri Lanka to establish a WHO-recognized national quality control laboratory capable of API and GMP verification, noting that random testing of medicines and responses to adverse events currently require costly overseas testing and cause delays. He placed WHO and Indian laboratory reference documents in the Library to support the proposal. He also raised reported shortages of insulin needles and glucose strips, equipment failures at the National Hospital including angiography and MRI issues, interruptions to biochemistry testing, and requested clarification on the alleged renaming of “1990 Suwaseriya” as the “National Emergency Ambulance Service.” Private Members' Motion P.46/2025: National Drug Quality Assurance Laboratory Read →