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 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni - Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Ministry could not provide precise annual figures for Allied Health graduates because aggregate numbers from state, private and foreign institutions are outside its remit. He detailed current vacancies in supplementary health professions and said recruitment action had been initiated through 2024 Gazettes for several cadres, with a proposal to recruit 100 pharmacists awaiting approval. He explained that a common general knowledge and IQ examination was required by the Public Service Commission where applicants exceeded vacancies, while categories with fewer applicants than vacancies could proceed without an exam. He stated that recruitment cannot be limited to state-university graduates, as private and foreign graduates have long been eligible, and said the Ministry remains open to dialogue or re-gazetting to fill posts quickly without disadvantaging candidates. Procedural: Questions on Bank of Ceylon Relief and Allied Health Graduates - Final Business Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara objected on procedural grounds, citing Standing Orders 91(i) and 143, and requested the Speaker to ensure that points of order are allowed and that the Panel of Chairmen functions properly. He then raised concerns over recruitment of Allied Health graduates under the Health Ministry Gazette of 14 June 2024, noting vacancies for Medical Laboratory Scientists and Physiotherapists and questioning the use of an IQ test instead of existing academic scores. He argued that state university graduates had boycotted the test while KDU and foreign/private institution candidates sat it, raising concerns about entry qualifications, and urged the Ministry to hold discussions and prioritize fairness for state-university Allied Health graduates from 2020 onward while filling existing vacancies. Debate: Finance Act Order and Notification on Luxury Tax on Motor Vehicles - Continued (Afternoon Session) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna linked May 18 commemorations to Tamil civilian suffering in 2009 and alleged that later official narratives suppressed evidence of wartime deaths and abuses. He focused on concerns about appointments and management at Jaffna Teaching Hospital, alleging that a doctor without Board Certification was improperly treated as a consultant, that diaspora-funded hospital resources lacked audited reporting, and that Rs. 17 million in claimed equipment could not be accounted for. He also alleged undue influence by the GMOA in health administration, police complaints and strike action, citing incidents at Tellippalai and his own removal, imprisonment and defamation cases after raising corruption allegations. He urged the Government to investigate health-sector corruption and union influence without fear of strikes, and called on judicial authorities in the North to consider the wider context of cases filed against him. Debate: Finance Act Order and Notification on Luxury Tax on Motor Vehicles - Continued (Afternoon Session) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna asked whether a particular doctor had been appointed to an end post by the Ministry of Health through proper procedure and with Public Service Commission approval, stating that the matter was unrelated to an ongoing court case and was raised in the public interest. He further asked whether the Government was aware of the large donations received by Jaffna Teaching Hospital during the COVID period since 2019, and requested confirmation that those funds had been properly used. Oral Question: Director of Jaffna Teaching Hospital Appointment (Q.9/2025) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni JJB AI summary ICU development projects at nine hospitals, in addition to Kandy, have stalled because the original contractor was unable to proceed amid the financial crisis. Legal action is under way, and the Legal Division is considering whether to retender the projects or permit the company that acquired the contractor to continue them. Necessary financial allocations will be made once that decision is taken. Oral Question: Lady Ridgeway Hospital - Donations for Purchase of Surgical Items (Q.3/2025) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Chamindranee Kiriella noted that four projects begun in 2017–2018 at Kandy District General Hospital have stalled, while thanking the Minister of Health for allocating Rs. 1,500 million in February, including Rs. 950 million for the cancer treatment building and thalassemia unit. She stated that the ICU project remains unable to proceed due to problems with the current contractor and requested that it be re-tendered and awarded to a new contractor so work can recommence for the benefit of the Kandy District. Oral Question: Lady Ridgeway Hospital - Donations for Purchase of Surgical Items (Q.3/2025) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni stated that equipment and staff shortages are affecting hospital services, citing reduced neurosurgical operations at the National Hospital and similar issues at Lady Ridgeway Hospital. He said funds have been allocated for equipment procurement, including for Lady Ridgeway, and that administrative action is being taken to deploy doctors, nurses, and other staff to units with shortages. He also noted discussions to use the President’s Fund to support operations outside regular hours. Oral Question: Lady Ridgeway Hospital - Donations for Purchase of Surgical Items (Q.3/2025) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Chamindranee Kiriella raised a supplementary question on surgical delays at Lady Ridgeway Hospital, stating that children face waiting times of 6 to 18 months and that families from outside Colombo incur high costs during prolonged stays. She asked what measures the Government would take to reduce waiting times, noting that some children die while on waiting lists. Oral Question: Lady Ridgeway Hospital - Donations for Purchase of Surgical Items (Q.3/2025) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni - Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media JJB AI summary Donations of Rs. 1,188,700 were received in 2024 for the Neurosurgical Unit to purchase a neurosurgical endoscopy machine, but the funds remain unused because the machine costs about Rs. 45 million. The Deputy Minister stated that procurement will proceed once full funding is available, and that discussions are under way to channel future donations through the Health Development Fund for proper utilization. Oral Question: Lady Ridgeway Hospital - Donations for Purchase of Surgical Items (Q.3/2025) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella asked the Minister of Health and Mass Media for details on donor funds received by Lady Ridgeway Hospital, Colombo, from 2024 to date for purchasing surgical items. She sought a breakdown of amounts received, used, and unused, and asked what measures have been taken to ensure proper utilization of these donations. Oral Question: Lady Ridgeway Hospital - Donations for Purchase of Surgical Items (Q.3/2025) Read →
- 21 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni - Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media tabled the 2023 Annual Report of the State Pharmaceutical Corporation of Ayurveda on behalf of the Minister. He proposed that it be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health, Mass Media and Women’s Empowerment, and the House agreed. Papers - Annual Reports Tabling Read →
- 20 May 2025 The Hon. Darmapriya Wijesinghe on behalf of the Hon. Kitnan Selvaraj AI summary Asked the Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure for information on clean drinking water shortages in estate communities, with reference to UNICEF’s Plantation Sector Drinking Water Scheme begun in 1987. Requested details on the number, locations, current functionality, and status of UNICEF-initiated schemes, as well as drinking water projects implemented in Badulla District over the past five years, their allocations, and the status of the LLG Capkade New Housing Scheme project in Poonagala, Haldummulla. Oral Questions: Plantation Community Infrastructure and Transport Issues Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna alleged that the Government was protecting an individual connected to the death of a hill-country student because he was an NPP district coordinator. He appealed for the matter to be considered from a parental perspective and urged that justice be delivered for the student’s death. Private Members' Motion (P.38/2025): Utilization of Abandoned Development Projects Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri seconded Rohana Bandara’s Motion and urged the Government to act on it by reforming medicine procurement, alleging that long tender timelines, emergency purchases, and supplier selection practices continue to enable corruption and shortages. He asked Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe to review whether COPE recommendations are being implemented, to take action against corrupt actors, and to establish a system that prevents irregularities, including direct purchases from proven-quality manufacturers where necessary. He also criticised rice importation, arguing that inadequate support for local farmers and under-cultivation lead to reliance on imports, and called for import restrictions to be matched with development of local production. Private Members' Motion (P.12/2024): Enhancing State Sector Involvement in Food Import and Distribution Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa said a detailed reply on preventing medicine shortages and related questions would be given on the next sitting day. Addressing the PACS project, he stated that 2018 agreements for an unsolicited USD 33 million project covering 20 hospitals had largely lapsed, with audit and CIABOC inquiries pending, and that the Ministry was considering limited activation in the five hospitals with partial implementation. He also noted a 1.5-year delay in the Kalutara (Nagoda) CT scanner, saying the Biomedical Engineering Service and Ministry were intervening to expedite port clearance, delivery, and supplier-related issues. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Matters of Urgent Public Importance Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa raised a health service issue concerning Kalutara Hospital, stating that it has been without a CT scanner for one and a half years. He requested urgent action to release the replacement scanner, which he said has been at the Port since 14 February. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Matters of Urgent Public Importance Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa questioned the Government’s reported move to procure medicines through government-to-government agreements, asking which countries and medicines are involved, why normal competitive procurement is being bypassed, and whether the process complies with the NMRA Act and procurement guidelines. He sought confirmation of reported shortages of 313 medicines and 111 items without suppliers, requested hospital-wise shortage data, and asked whether local production capacity and industry impact had been assessed with stakeholder input. He also asked how transparency, quality assurance, and accountability would be ensured under G2G procurement, particularly if substandard medicines are supplied. He further raised delays in purchasing Elekta radiotherapy machines, disruptions to MRI and CT services at the National Hospital due to PACS issues, and the release of a CT scanner reportedly held at the port for Kalutara Hospital. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Matters of Urgent Public Importance Read →
- 9 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary As a tabled answer, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa reported that 112 Ayurveda hospitals are functioning and 4,270 graduates in indigenous medicine were registered with the Ayurveda Medical Council as of 31 December 2024. He stated there are 430 vacancies for graded indigenous medical officers, with Cabinet approval secured to recruit 304 officers to the Primary Grade. He also confirmed that Minneriya Ayurveda Hospital has a physiotherapy unit, identified its contractor, and said no complaint regarding it had been received by the Department of Ayurveda. Oral Questions - Second Round (Q.2/2024, Q.3/2025, Q.4/2025, Q.5/2025, Q.6/2025) Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary In a tabled answer, the Minister provided OPD attendance data for 2015–2023, noting a rise to about 58.8 million in 2019, declines during 2020–2021, and recovery to about 55.2 million in 2023. He stated that recorded OPD development expenditure across listed hospitals for 2015–2024 was approximately Rs. 179.19 million, and said Sri Lanka’s health indicators are also supported by primary health care strengthening and disease prevention. He further noted that upgrades to identified Primary Medical Care Institutions are being implemented under the World Bank-financed Primary Health Care System Strengthening Project. Oral Questions: Martyrs' Day Commemorations and OPD Attendance (Q.10/2024, etc.) Read →
- 8 May 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka on behalf of the Hon. Kins Nelson AI summary Asked the Minister of Health and Mass Media to provide annual figures from 2015 to date on patients treated at government hospital OPDs and expenditure on OPD development. The question also sought the Minister’s view on whether OPDs significantly contribute to Sri Lanka’s health indicators and what measures are planned to further develop OPD services. Oral Questions: Martyrs' Day Commemorations and OPD Attendance (Q.10/2024, etc.) Read →