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- 5 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni - Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that inquiries into non-cadre staff found that some individuals had been serving voluntarily at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital, reportedly with permission granted in 2021 for a three-month period. He said they worked a few hours under a roster on duties outside direct patient care, were not government appointees, and therefore no labour law violation arose. He added that the Ministry’s Emergency Raids Unit is examining complaints, but no complaint on this matter has been received so far. Oral Question: Jaffna Teaching Hospital Voluntary Workers (Q.668/2025) Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya said the education system is facing serious social well-being and mental health challenges, particularly among students affected by the Easter Sunday attacks, COVID-19 and the economic crisis. She stated that she and the State Minister would meet the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists to discuss comprehensive measures, stressing that low-quality counselling in schools could be harmful. She also highlighted the need for broader system reforms, including strengthening teachers’ skills and addressing the lack of change in teacher training colleges over 16 years. Oral Questions: NYSC Training Centres, Preschools, and Education Reforms Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna SJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Rohini Kumari Wijerathna expressed support for the Prime Minister’s proposed education reforms and linked the issue to rising mental health concerns, depression, and suicides among students. She asked whether school-based counselling would be included in the reforms and, if so, how it would be implemented. Oral Questions: NYSC Training Centres, Preschools, and Education Reforms Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake questioned the fairness of KDU admissions where Sri Lankans applying from overseas may gain entry while local students from areas such as Ratmalana, Moratuwa, Jaffna or Galle cannot. He urged the Government to revisit the policy to expand medical training, increase the number of doctors, and retain revenue within Sri Lanka rather than sending students abroad at high cost. He also called for policy changes to position Sri Lanka as a hub, including for education and tourism. Oral Question: India–Sri Lanka Agreements and Education Policy Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister answered that 135 specialist medical officers and 937 nursing officers are abroad on approved overseas leave, mainly to countries including the United Kingdom and Australia. She stated that some hospitals face shortages in paediatrics, anaesthesiology and neurology, but services are being maintained through human resource management and acting appointments for returning trained medical officers. She also clarified that public sector salary increases are governed by Public Administration Circular 10/2025, KDU medical admissions generally follow its own procedure rather than the UGC Z-score system, and no separate foreign exchange mechanism has been identified beyond requirements under Circular 14/2022 for officers abroad to deposit funds into non-resident foreign currency accounts. Oral Question: India–Sri Lanka Agreements and Education Policy Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake asked the Prime Minister whether reports are correct that over 2,100 doctors and 2,500 nurses have left Sri Lanka for overseas employment in the past two years. He requested details on the number and destinations of migrating doctors, the impact on public hospitals and rural healthcare, and government measures to retain medical professionals, including salary issues and recruitment to KDU through the UGC Z-score. He also asked whether the Government has considered seeking compensation or related arrangements from countries benefiting from Sri Lanka-trained doctors, referring to a statement made by Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa in Switzerland. Oral Question: India–Sri Lanka Agreements and Education Policy Read →
- 4 June 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake tabled the 2023 Annual Report of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority on behalf of the Minister of Health and Mass Media. He moved that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health, Mass Media and Women’s Empowerment, and the motion was agreed to. Parliament Opening and Papers Tabling Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Current hospital shortages were attributed to longstanding registration, tendering, and delivery failures, including unregistered items, tenders not issued or not supplied on time, and an insulin shortfall caused by non-delivery under an awarded tender. Nalinda Jayatissa said emergency procurement had been increased by about 2 million insulin units and that, compared with 67 of 402 SPC tenders finalized in the first five months of the previous year, 267 items had been tendered and ordered in the current first five months. He stated that NMRA registration issues were being addressed and that transparent government-to-government procurement would be used temporarily to secure essential supplies at lower prices, while urging importers to expedite deliveries so the temporary arrangement need not continue. Ministerial Statement: Drugs Shortage and Government Initiatives Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised concerns about reports of procurement procedures being bypassed in relation to drug registration and medicine purchasing. He asked whether there was any truth to claims that procurement rules were being set aside and purchases made according to individual preferences, stating that formal procurement processes should be followed for medicines in the public interest. Ministerial Statement: Drugs Shortage and Government Initiatives Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised a concern regarding medicine procurement, stating that if the normal procurement process is delayed or obstructed, hospital heads may procure medicines directly outside that process. He clarified that he was not making an allegation against the Minister, but requested that the matter, which he said was being discussed in the health sector, be investigated. Ministerial Statement: Drugs Shortage and Government Initiatives Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the Government is seeking Cabinet approval for government-to-government procurement of medicines from several countries to address shortages caused by supply delays, quality failures, lack of registered suppliers and tender non-participation, while continuing standard procurement and prioritizing local production. He said real-time stock monitoring is being done through the “Swastha” system, local manufacturing is supported through buyback guarantees and expanded SPMC capacity, and a senior officials’ committee will oversee the process, with NMRA ensuring quality and SPC handling procurement. On Elekta Infinity radiotherapy machines, he reported that Phase II agreements have been signed, funding has been allocated for bunker construction or upgrades, and installations are planned for Hambantota, Badulla and Ratnapura by end-2025, with Anuradhapura and Kurunegala expected by April 2026. Ministerial Statement: Drugs Shortage and Government Initiatives Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Ajith Gihan JJB AI summary Hon. Ajith Gihan said fertilizer price increases and shortages are affecting small and medium farmers cultivating over 16,000 acres. He argued that the resulting use of chicken manure and other substitutes has contributed to a severe mosquito problem in the peninsula, raising health concerns. He requested fertilizer support to reduce reliance on such substitutes. Oral Question: Kalpitiya Agricultural Flooding (Q.585/2025) Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary The Health Ministry emphasized that all medical graduates, whether from state universities, Kotelawala Defence University, or foreign universities after passing the Act 16 examination, require proper internship training before practising. Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa noted that shortages of certified consultants are limiting internship placements and said a temporary decision had been taken after consultations. He stated that the Government must urgently develop a sustainable mechanism to provide internships and ensure the quality of doctors entering state service, the private sector, or working abroad. Oral Question: Government Universities and Higher Education Admissions (Q.381/2025) Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna JJB AI summary The Minister said health workforce placements are becoming constrained and that staffing requirements must be reassessed alongside the output of state medical faculties. He stated that universities will not be closed, but a time-bound, multi-party review will determine the appropriate course of action. Oral Question: Government Universities and Higher Education Admissions (Q.381/2025) Read →
- 3 June 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake asked why the Government had stopped the third Z-score-based intake to the Kotelawala Defence University Medical Faculty and urged intervention to keep it open to local students, citing a reported Supreme Court case and discussions between Vice Chancellors and the President. He linked the issue to shortages and emigration of doctors, arguing that university capacity should be expanded rather than restricted. He also proposed using medical education capacity to attract foreign students and earn foreign exchange. Oral Question: Government Universities and Higher Education Admissions (Q.381/2025) Read →
- 3 June 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary The Minister of Health and Mass Media presented the 2023 Annual Report of the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation of Sri Lanka. He proposed that the report be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health, Mass Media and Women’s Empowerment, and the House agreed. Papers Presented: Orders, Regulations, Reports and Gazette Read →
- 23 May 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha criticized the Government’s reported decision to restrict Kotelawala Defence University medical faculty admissions to foreign students and cadets, excluding Sri Lankan civilian students. He argued that KDU provides a domestic pathway for students who narrowly miss State medical admission, retains foreign exchange that would otherwise be spent on overseas medical education, and helps address doctor shortages in regional hospitals. He questioned whether the Minister of Education and Government members support the decision, asked how public investment in KDU is being justified, and urged the Government to reverse the policy. Debate: Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill and Foreign Loans (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 23 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana said his side supported the regulations introduced under former President Ranil Wickremesinghe but criticised the Government’s governance record, particularly the appointment of the Auditor General, alleging that merit and seniority had been disregarded. He questioned progress on implementing Easter Sunday Commission recommendations and raised concerns over shootings, underworld activity, cost-of-living pressures, electricity tariffs, and shortages including salt and medicines. He also called for action to retain health professionals, support local pharmaceutical manufacturing, protect professionals from harassment, and ensure youth programmes are continued without political interference. Debate: Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill and Foreign Loans (Repeal) Bill - Second Reading Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni JJB AI summary The Ministry of Health and Mass Media, together with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation and other stakeholders, has held several meetings in 2025 on dog population control. The member said a committee is expected to prepare a concrete action plan and propose any necessary legal amendments or new regulations, with decisions anticipated in the near term. Oral Question: Sand Mining Permits and Stray Dog Control (Q.7/2025) Read →
- 22 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni JJB AI summary Hon. Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni stated that rabies control is a priority for the Ministry of Health, noting that annual deaths in Sri Lanka have fallen from about 300 two decades ago to 20–30 but remain higher than in comparable countries. He said current spending includes about Rs. 280 million on human post-exposure treatment, Rs. 180 million on animal vaccination, and Rs. 200 million on sterilization, and called for a review of the cost-effectiveness and outputs of these programmes. He proposed streamlining vaccination and developing a more systematic national programme for stray dog management that extends beyond the Health Ministry’s remit. Oral Question: Sand Mining Permits and Stray Dog Control (Q.7/2025) Read →