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 August 2025 The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB AI summary Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy asked whether the Government would support and develop traditional medical institutions such as the century-old Sri Lanka Ayurveda Siddha College and its practitioners. He argued that prioritizing indigenous medicine, local herbs, and traditional formulations could reduce imported drug costs, meet domestic demand, preserve traditional systems, and promote medical tourism. Oral Questions: Second Round (Q.971/2025 and others) Read →
- 21 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa – Minister of Health and Mass Media AI summary The Minister responded to a Standing Order 27(2) question by clarifying the legal and institutional framework for Indigenous Medicine education and practice. He stated that there are no “Ayurveda medical colleges” under that name, only four university faculties of Indigenous Medicine, and that the Jaffna Shastri college registered under the Ayurveda Act was among 20 such colleges suspended from end-2017, with only the final 2017 intake being allowed to complete examinations. He said the Ayurveda Education and Hospitals Board has no legal authority to approve new indigenous medical colleges or award degrees, while practitioner registration documents are handled by the Ayurvedic Medical Council. He further stated that no new institution or salary scheme for traditional physicians is envisaged, support is provided through existing bodies, and registered practitioners must renew registration every five years on payment of the approved Rs. 6,000 fee. Oral Questions: Second Round (Q.971/2025 and others) Read →
- 20 August 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy sought clarification on procurement of medicines, referring to documents he had tabled showing a locally produced injection priced at Rs. 150 compared with Rs. 300 from an Indian supplier. He argued this appeared inconsistent with the Government’s stated preference for local suppliers and warned against a repeat of the previous medicine crisis. He requested that the Minister examine the price comparisons and review the actions of the NMRA Chairman and officials, with a response after verification if immediate details were unavailable. Adjournment Debate: NMRA Medicine Supply and State Land Leasing Read →
- 20 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni - Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Hansaka Wijemuni stated that shortages remain in two lifesaving medicines and about 50 priority medicines due to supplier and registration issues, but hospitals have been given expanded authority and higher financial limits to make local purchases to prevent stockouts. He said 2025 local supply orders have been placed with Cabinet approval, expressions of interest for 2026 local supplies have been called, and 2026 import orders were submitted to the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation by 31 January 2025 through procurement procedures. He emphasized that no preference is given to foreign manufacturers, while local manufacturers receive registration and procurement support, including multi-year purchase assurances. He also said the NMRA has reduced registration backlogs, particularly for local producers, approving 217 new local medicine registrations over the past year while continuing to address delays in import registrations. Adjournment Debate: NMRA Medicine Supply and State Land Leasing Read →
- 20 August 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy raised a Special Question to the Minister of Health on medicine shortages and the functioning of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority. He sought details on the number of lifesaving and priority medicines currently in shortage, urgent procurement mechanisms for local and imported medicines, and the process for identifying essential medicines and determining prices. He alleged that the NMRA Chairman and some officials were creating difficulties for local manufacturers, favouring Indian manufacturers, and causing registration delays that affect local production, exports, patients, and government supply. He asked what operational plan and corrective action the Minister would take regarding the NMRA leadership and these issues. Adjournment Debate: NMRA Medicine Supply and State Land Leasing Read →
- 20 August 2025 Hon. Chanaka Madugoda SLPP AI summary Hon. Chanaka Madugoda called on the Government to regularize the services of employees whose terms had only been extended for six months, noting that COPE had recommended placing them permanently in a suitable project. He urged the Health Minister to amend a circular that suspended health sector employees’ leave entitlements for local and overseas travel under the Establishments Code, saying it affected 66,255 employees. He also criticized the closure of the Spices and Allied Products Marketing Board, arguing that the institution should have been strengthened through better administration rather than shut down. Debate: Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill, Rubber Control (Amendment) Bill, Sports Law Regulations, and Judicature Act Rules Read →
- 20 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the Government would proceed with facilities needed for medical education and related services, noting that the Minister of Transport had intervened to provide land at the Kalutara Depot for a Faculty of Medicine building. He also said a DOD building would be constructed affiliated to the Karapitiya/Gallassa Maternity and Children’s Hospital, with the aim of establishing a fully fledged Faculty of Medicine and Teaching Hospital. Oral Question: Staffing at Gallassa Maternity and Children's Hospital (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 20 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary The Minister stated that, based on previous experience establishing professorial units in universities such as Rajarata, Uva Wellassa, Wayamba and Sabaragamuwa, the Government is proceeding with efforts to commence the professorial unit for the 12th medical faculty. He noted that the Minister and Secretary had to intervene more than usual due to concerns raised within the sector, and appealed for cooperation to increase the country’s doctor output even if the unit cannot begin as a fully-fledged facility from the first day. Oral Question: Staffing at Gallassa Maternity and Children's Hospital (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 20 August 2025 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana asked about the Moratuwa Medical Faculty professorial unit, noting his involvement in identifying sites and saying it is nearing commencement. He urged the Minister not to give in to reported obstruction by some doctors and to proceed with the unit so more doctors can be trained in Sri Lanka. Oral Question: Staffing at Gallassa Maternity and Children's Hospital (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 20 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary The Minister said the newly built Gallassa hospital cannot become fully operational immediately, but staffing is being increased to enable services to proceed. He reported that 25 medical officers, 50 nurses, and 50 minor staff had been deployed, with 30 more minor staff due that week, while additional temporary medical and nursing assignments would support the professorial unit. He also stated that four post-intern anaesthetists would be allocated and further nursing recruitment, including for the blood bank, was underway. Oral Question: Staffing at Gallassa Maternity and Children's Hospital (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 20 August 2025 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana raised staffing and resource concerns regarding the Nagoda and Gallassa hospitals in Kalutara, noting their interlinked administration and the volume of emergency patients referred from surrounding areas. He requested expedited action to fill over 100 minor staff vacancies and an inquiry into approximately 20 nurses who had received transfers but had not reported for duty. He also asked what special provisions would be included for the two hospitals in the 2026 Budget. Oral Question: Staffing at Gallassa Maternity and Children's Hospital (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 20 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary The Minister answered questions on Gallassa Maternity and Children’s Hospital, stating that its paediatrics unit, clinics, wards and several related services are functioning, while maternity and obstetrics/gynaecology services are being expanded, including new wards, blood bank and laboratory services. He said delays in full operations followed earlier non-approval and non-deployment of the full cadre, but staffing is currently adequate for existing services and further allocations can be made through upcoming recruitments. He also tabled annexes on required hospital equipment and consolidated procurement, noting that about Rs. 27 billion is allocated for current equipment procurement and maintenance plans. Oral Question: Staffing at Gallassa Maternity and Children's Hospital (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 20 August 2025 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana asked the Minister of Health and Mass Media for details on staffing, infrastructure, clinics, laboratory facilities, ambulances, and ambulance personnel at the Maternity and Children’s Hospital, Gallassa, Nagoda, including steps to fill any vacancies. He also requested information on the availability and usability of medical laboratory technical facilities in government hospitals nationwide, and on shortages of medical equipment and machinery by hospital section. Oral Question: Staffing at Gallassa Maternity and Children's Hospital (Q.5/2025) Read →
- 20 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that unregistered pharmacies remain widespread despite the 2015 NMRA Act providing for registration and standards, due to delayed implementation. He said the Government is now moving to register such pharmacies within a reasonable timeframe while Food and Drug Inspectors have conducted raids and filed cases. He urged Members to support enforcement and encourage unregistered pharmacies to register, despite requests to avoid strict implementation. Oral Question: NMRA Data Deletion Incident (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 20 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary The Member raised concerns relating to the NMRA data deletion issue, stating that records of a Jaffna pharmacy had reportedly been completely deleted and seeking clarification. He also alleged that 18 pharmacies in Jaffna were operating without licences, linked this to the trafficking and sale of Pregabalin and related court cases, and questioned the Ministry over alleged neglect by the RDHS in licensing oversight in the Northern Province. Oral Question: NMRA Data Deletion Incident (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 20 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised concerns about National Medicines Regulatory Authority oversight in the Northern Province, stating that 18 pharmacies were reportedly operating without registration. He referred to alleged trafficking of Pregabalin to Vavuniya in 2022 through a pharmacy linked to a medical administrator, and asked why licensing in the North was being neglected by Ministry officials. He also questioned what action would be taken regarding the alleged deletion of data relating to a Jaffna pharmacy. Oral Question: NMRA Data Deletion Incident (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 20 August 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha asked the Minister of Health and Mass Media for details on the reported deletion of data from National Medicines Regulatory Authority computers, including the date it was reported and the names and addresses of officers allegedly involved. He also sought confirmation on whether the deletion enabled large-scale fraud and requested an update on the progress of investigations into the incident. Oral Question: NMRA Data Deletion Incident (Q.1/2025) Read →
- 19 August 2025 The Hon. (Physician) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Physician) Ramanathan Archchuna raised a Standing Order 27(2) question alleging financial irregularities at the Tellippallai Base Hospital oncology unit, including the use of private bank accounts for public donations and a Rs. 30 million building contract allegedly entered into without due approval. He said complaints had been made to CIABOC and other authorities but no arrests or action had followed. He asked the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs whether CIABOC would investigate the alleged misappropriation, why no action had been taken against the doctors and officials named, and whether the Government would now examine the bank accounts and contract and institute legal proceedings. Question by Private Notice: Tellippallai Base Hospital Financial Irregularities Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy questioned whether alleged rackets in the health sector are continuing despite action against former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and officials, citing NMRA pricing and registration practices that he said disadvantage local manufacturers compared with Indian imports, including the example of Clindamycin injections. He demanded explanations from NMRA Chairman Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama and asked why officials associated with previous arrangements remain in place. He also criticized the Government’s position on casinos, questioning the increase in licensed casinos, reduced licence fees, and the operation of “City of Dreams Sri Lanka,” and called for the President to explain the policy shift. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa said specialist cadre revisions are being carried out with the PGIM and relevant stakeholders, taking into account service needs and training output. He stated that barriers to recalling specialists who had left the country have been eased, some have already returned to fill gaps, and remaining issues are being addressed. He invited specialists abroad to return, saying the Government would assist with practical matters such as children’s schooling and transport according to postings to strengthen the health system and improve Sri Lanka’s Universal Health Coverage standing. Oral Question: Specialist Doctors' Services in Sri Lanka (Q.10/2025) Read →