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- 10 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni - Deputy Minister of Health JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Hansaka Wijemuni said the Government supports strengthening the NMRA laboratory and is already implementing measures to improve testing capacity, including doubling tests and staff in the past year and pursuing ISO 17025 international accreditation. He stated that local pharmaceutical production would be encouraged only under proper standards, while imports and batch releases are subject to pre-shipment, warehouse, post-distribution and complaint-based sampling through NMRA and other recognized laboratories. Responding to concerns about shortages and procurement, he said major hospital supplies, including antibiotics and cardiac surgery needs, were available, while some smaller items are procured at institutional level rather than through national bulk procurement. Private Members' Motion P.46/2025: National Drug Quality Assurance Laboratory Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka supported the Private Members’ Motion on strengthening medicine quality assurance, stating that medicines must be safe and that the Opposition would assist the Government’s efforts. He argued that, after nearly a year in office, the Government should move beyond blaming the previous administration and address current shortages of essential drugs, IVs, surgical items and supplies in government hospitals. Citing examples including Papaverine, Metaraminol, Dextrose, Naloxone, cardiac surgery items and sutures, he said patients are being required to purchase critical materials privately, sometimes at costs around Rs. 100,000, and urged the Government to procure them through proper tenders or international channels. Private Members' Motion P.46/2025: National Drug Quality Assurance Laboratory Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Gunawardana JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Gunawardana stated that the backlog of registration dossiers has been expedited at the NMRA. He said the authority is now functioning more democratically with the aim of improving public health outcomes. Private Members' Motion P.46/2025: National Drug Quality Assurance Laboratory Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Jagath Gunawardana JJB AI summary Dr. Jagath Gunawardana supported the Private Member’s Motion on ensuring the proper functioning of the National Medicines Quality Assurance Laboratory, outlining its role under the NMRA in testing medicines and medical devices for quality, safety and efficacy. He alleged that previous administrations weakened regulatory controls through special exemptions and irregular procurements, citing cases involving Human Immunoglobulin and Rituximab that allowed substandard medicines to enter the system. He stated that the current government has introduced reforms, including infrastructure upgrades, additional analyst posts, expanded laboratory capacity, new equipment, and more efficient pre- and post-marketing testing. Private Members' Motion P.46/2025: National Drug Quality Assurance Laboratory Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy seconded the motion and raised concerns about persistent weaknesses in Sri Lanka’s medicines regulatory system, particularly the composition and leadership of the NMRA. He argued that the NMRA Board lacks pharmaceutical regulatory expertise, questioned the Chairman’s private practice and alleged bias towards multinational companies over local manufacturers, and noted that promised upgrades to the NMRA laboratory had not been implemented. He said he would table more than 15 questions on allegations against the Chairman and called on the Government and Health Minister to decide on his position, warning that they would bear responsibility for future failures. 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 moved a resolution calling for a programme to restore and modernize the National Medicines Quality Assurance Laboratory, arguing that the 35-year-old facility is outdated, not internationally accredited, and unable to adequately test imported and locally manufactured medicines. He said the NMRA, established under Act No. 5 of 2015, has a statutory duty to ensure safe, efficacious, good-quality medicines at affordable prices, and proposed establishing a fully equipped laboratory at an estimated cost of Rs. 5 billion. He cited past incidents involving alleged substandard prednisolone, anaesthetics, and human immunoglobulin, demanded action against those responsible and recovery of losses, and urged compensation for affected patients who had not yet received it. Private Members' Motion P.46/2025: National Drug Quality Assurance Laboratory Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa said dialysis services were being maintained at hospitals including the National Institute in Polonnaruwa and Badulla Teaching Hospital, with no reported patient transfers. He acknowledged temporary shortages of fistula needles due to local procurement delays, during which some patients had been asked to purchase needles privately, but said private imports and expedited procurement would stabilize supplies. He added that the Medical Supplies Division would distribute fistula needles to hospitals in the coming days and undertook to examine the screening issue raised. Oral Questions and Government Answers (Questions 342/2024, 7/561/2025, 9/984/2025, 10/1120/2025, 8/625/2025) Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara raised concerns about chronic kidney disease patients, particularly in Anuradhapura District and Medawachchiya, saying dialysis needles are in short supply due to procurement delays and some patients are being sent home without treatment. He noted that kidney disease screening by the National Unit for Prevention and Research on Kidney Disease had stopped for ten months despite previously conducting about 350 screenings a day, leading to late detection and higher costs. He asked that preliminary screenings be resumed and dialysis needles be supplied urgently. Oral Questions and Government Answers (Questions 342/2024, 7/561/2025, 9/984/2025, 10/1120/2025, 8/625/2025) Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa said cultivated land and the number of farmers have increased, prompting Cabinet approval of an additional Rs. 5,000 million for fertilizer assistance. He noted that many new cultivators may lack awareness despite media campaigns and said the Government would consider using private media to strengthen farmer guidance. He stated that doxycycline stocks are sufficient for three months, with a further nine months’ supply expected shortly, and emphasized the need to inform farmers entering fields and ensure prompt prophylactic treatment. Oral Questions and Government Answers (Questions 342/2024, 7/561/2025, 9/984/2025, 10/1120/2025, 8/625/2025) Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. Rohana Bandara AI summary Hon. Rohana Bandara noted that leptospirosis admissions were rising ahead of the Maha cultivation season, when farmers are entering fields, and urged stronger promotion and wider implementation of doxycycline prophylaxis. He proposed using private media as a public service alongside state media and integrating prophylaxis prompts into fertilizer subsidy registration processes. He asked what immediate steps would be taken during the short preventive window, warning that severe cases require limited ICU capacity and can lead to avoidable deaths. Oral Questions and Government Answers (Questions 342/2024, 7/561/2025, 9/984/2025, 10/1120/2025, 8/625/2025) Read →
- 10 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary From 2015 to 2024, government hospital data recorded a rise in leptospirosis hospitalizations from 10,036 to 20,200, with reported deaths ranging from 155 to 325 annually. Control measures include national and district guideline committees, targeted programmes in identified high-risk districts, expert subcommittees, public and community awareness campaigns, doxycycline prophylaxis, hospital mortality reviews, updated clinical guidelines, medical officer training, and research on environmental and animal-related factors. Sri Lanka also intends to propose at the 2025 World Health Assembly that leptospirosis be recognized as a priority neglected disease. Oral Questions and Government Answers (Questions 342/2024, 7/561/2025, 9/984/2025, 10/1120/2025, 8/625/2025) Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva raised concerns over a reported directive to change the name, colours and branding of the 1990 Suwaseriya Foundation established under Act No. 18 of 2018. He emphasized that Suwaseriya is a free, 24/7 pre-hospital emergency medical service serving large numbers of citizens, not merely an ambulance fleet. He urged that it not be politicized or altered by administrative directive, and said any change should be brought before Parliament through an amendment, while tabling images of the proposed logo changes. Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Continued Discussion Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni JJB AI summary Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni stated that no donated equipment from the hospital has been or will be transferred to other institutions, following confirmation with the relevant Director. He said the main impediment is approval of cadre positions for doctors, nurses, and support staff, which has been requested from the Ministry of Finance. Once approvals are granted, staffing will be expedited for the modern ward complex intended to provide specialized infertility-related investigations and treatment not available in major Colombo hospitals. Oral Question 4: Special Schools and Standing Order 27(2) Questions Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Sivagnanam Shritharan questioned the Deputy Minister on the status of a Netherlands-funded hospital unit opened in 2024, stating that it has not begun substantive operations and no staff cadre has been appointed. He raised concern over reported requests from other hospitals to obtain the equipment and public protests against moving it, and asked when the unit would become fully functional. Oral Question 4: Special Schools and Standing Order 27(2) Questions Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Health, Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni stated that the needs of Kilinochchi District General Hospital are being addressed and that no equipment from its specialized Gynaecology Unit will be transferred to other hospitals. He said the unit was built under the Netherlands-funded DRIVE project, with EUR 7.2 million for construction and EUR 8 million for equipment, and was handed over on 8 August 2024. He added that staff expansion is underway subject to cadre approval through the Northern Provincial Council, and that recruitment and service expansion will proceed once approvals are obtained. Oral Question 4: Special Schools and Standing Order 27(2) Questions Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan raised a Standing Order 27(2) question to the Minister of Health regarding the non-operation of the Netherlands-funded specialized Gynaecology Unit at Kilinochchi District General Hospital, despite its opening in late 2024. He cited shortages of specialists, nurses, technical staff, and related services, as well as concerns that equipment may be moved to other hospitals, and argued that these issues are undermining healthcare provision in Kilinochchi and surrounding areas. He asked for details on the Netherlands funding, cadre requirements and appointment timelines, whether equipment transfers or closure are planned, and a guarantee and timeline for fully operationalizing the unit. Oral Question 4: Special Schools and Standing Order 27(2) Questions Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni stated that while local authorities remain responsible for maintaining maternity clinic buildings, the proposed “Arogya Suwatha” primary care centres will provide a wider range of services. He said these centres will incorporate existing clinic functions while adding screening, health education, rehabilitation, and palliative care, with nationwide implementation expected to take several years. Oral Question 2: Hospitals in Galle District Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. Thilanka U. Gamage JJB AI summary Hon. Thilanka U. Gamage welcomed the “Arogya Suwatha” Primary Care Centre project and thanked the Government for starting the first centre in Mapalagama, Galle. He raised concerns about inadequate facilities at regional health centres, citing Yakkalamulla where maternity and child clinics lack shelter, and asked whether the Government would urgently refurbish such centres at Divisional Secretariat level islandwide. Oral Question 2: Hospitals in Galle District Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni JJB AI summary A status report has been sent to the Ministry regarding the hospital development matter. Funding is expected through the Southern Provincial Council, and the District Director has been asked to submit a full action plan so the Council can consider allocations. If funding constraints arise, support may be provided through an upcoming multi-year project to develop similar hospitals. Oral Question 2: Hospitals in Galle District Read →
- 9 October 2025 The Hon. Thilanka U. Gamage JJB AI summary Hon. Thilanka U. Gamage raised concerns about infrastructure deficiencies at Baddegama Hospital, noting its importance as the nearest facility to the Expressway exit for accident cases. He highlighted the lack of a ramp between two-storey blocks, risks in moving patients by stairs, likely impacts from road widening, and unresolved drainage and sanitation issues. He requested prompt government intervention and asked that necessary improvements be included in the 2026 Budget. Oral Question 2: Hospitals in Galle District Read →