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- 7 March 2025 The Hon. Dewananda Suraweera JJB AI summary Hon. Dewananda Suraweera asked the Minister of Health and Mass Media for details on the number of registered pharmacies and pharmacists in Sri Lanka and whether pharmacies are legally required to operate under registered pharmacist supervision under the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act, No. 05 of 2015. He sought confirmation of a pharmacist shortage relative to registered pharmacies and requested information on measures already taken and planned to address it. He also questioned eligibility requirements for the External Pharmacist Examination, including the GCE A/L Chemistry credit requirement, and highlighted the low recent pass rate of 99 out of about 1,700 candidates. Oral Question: Shortage of Pharmacists and External Pharmacist Examination (Q.492/2025) Read →
- 6 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni - Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Hansaka Wijemuni acknowledged difficulties faced by doctors and PGIM trainees, including limited career development pathways, frequent rotations across specialties, long working hours, travel burdens, administrative delays and lack of accommodation. He said the Ministry is pursuing an intermediate or middle-grade medical cadre, initially discussed for anaesthesia, ICU, neurosurgery and cardiothoracic surgery, in consultation with professional colleges, universities and the PGIM. He stated that administrative processes for trainees could be streamlined without additional funding, while quarters or hired accommodation should be provided, and overtime allowance issues would require Cabinet approval. He added that committees had been appointed to advance discussions, amend Service Minutes if necessary, and develop a faster solution. Adjournment Motion: Challenges Faced by Medical Specialists (Postgraduate Trainees) Read →
- 6 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Janaka Senarathna JJB AI summary The Government accepted the Adjournment Motion on creating an intermediate medical cadre as timely, citing specialist doctor shortages after the economic crisis and the loss of experienced non-specialist doctors from high-demand fields. The proposal was supported in principle as a way to address service gaps, especially outside Colombo, but it was noted that implementation requires consultation with specialists, legal consideration, and approval from relevant academic and professional bodies. The Ministry had already begun technical discussions on the concept and is also considering prompt relief for postgraduate trainees facing accommodation and transfer-related financial difficulties. Adjournment Motion: Challenges Faced by Medical Specialists (Postgraduate Trainees) Read →
- 6 March 2025 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Welcoming the Adjournment Motion on challenges faced by medical specialists, the Member drew attention to health sector shortages in Mullaitivu District, noting manpower gaps across hospitals and inadequate facilities at the District General Hospital. He requested more inpatient accommodation and additional ambulances for Mullaitivu, Alampil, Kokkulai and other areas, and urged the Health Minister to visit the district and address its underdevelopment-related health needs. Adjournment Motion: Challenges Faced by Medical Specialists (Postgraduate Trainees) Read →
- 6 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah JJB AI summary The member supported the proposal to create a middle-level medical officer grade within the Ministry of Health, noting that the issue had been discussed previously without resolution. He argued that recognizing experienced medical officers through a Service Minute, in consultation with relevant medical colleges, the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, and the Department of Management Services, would help retain health personnel and strengthen rural healthcare. He proposed appointing such officers to divisional hospitals as officers in charge to reduce pressure on urban hospitals and called for a committee to develop a practical solution. Adjournment Motion: Challenges Faced by Medical Specialists (Postgraduate Trainees) Read →
- 6 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam supported the Adjournment Motion on challenges faced by medical specialists and urged the introduction of an intermediate cadre between Medical Officers and consultants. He argued that doctors with postgraduate diplomas, Masters qualifications, or long specialized experience remain classified as ordinary Medical Officers without appropriate career progression or salary recognition, leading to loss of expertise and migration. He proposed a special Service Minute, defined absorption criteria, dedicated salary scales, and expanded postgraduate training opportunities through universities, including the Jaffna Medical Faculty. Adjournment Motion: Challenges Faced by Medical Specialists (Postgraduate Trainees) Read →
- 6 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna argued that poor working conditions, limited career progression, and remuneration issues are driving doctors, interns, and postgraduate trainees to seek employment abroad. He proposed creating a senior intermediate medical cadre for experienced doctors and establishing mechanisms for medical officers to pursue postgraduate training while remaining in service. He welcomed the increase in basic salary but urged the Government to address overtime calculations, particularly the issue of dividing OT by 120 instead of 80, through consultation and future Budget commitments. He also referred to his own arrest in Jaffna, asking the Government to avoid personal reprisals and make better use of medical expertise within Parliament. Adjournment Motion: Challenges Faced by Medical Specialists (Postgraduate Trainees) Read →
- 6 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised concerns about the emigration of doctors and nurses following the economic and political crises, citing the public cost of training medical professionals and the resulting financial loss to the State. He argued that economic instability, inability to afford vehicles, loan burdens, and inadequate conditions are key reasons doctors leave the country. He specifically called for better support for postgraduate medical trainees, including fair remuneration, accommodation, and practical benefits, noting their central role in the health system. Adjournment Motion: Challenges Faced by Medical Specialists (Postgraduate Trainees) Read →
- 6 March 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that regional issues in health, indigenous medicine and postal services should be handled through empowered regional mechanisms, rather than being brought to the Ministry’s Advisory Committee. He said the Advisory Committee should focus on parliamentary work, policy and key measures, and that the secured allocations would be used efficiently and fully for public benefit. He invited all members to work collectively in implementing this approach. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Read →
- 6 March 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary The Minister closed the Committee Stage debate on the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, noting contributions from 35 MPs and acknowledging proposals on health, indigenous medicine, media and postal services. He said Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital should be reviewed and reorganized, Seeduwa Vijaya Kumaratunga Hospital developed as a specialized hospital, and that the Budget provides substantial phased basic salary increases for doctors, nurses and paramedical staff over about 20 months. He rejected allegations of discrimination in changes to Muslim-language broadcasting during Ramadan, said state media institutions would be strengthened as national media models, and stated that VAT obligations and arrears are being settled. He thanked officials and staff across the Ministry’s 42 institutions, citing the Rs. 604 billion allocation and pledging political leadership to restore public confidence and improve services. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Read →
- 6 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna criticised the 2025 Budget’s health allocations, arguing that while overall expenditure requires major revenue-raising, health spending increases and regional allocations to the North and East remain inadequate compared with defence and other items. He questioned rising Health Ministry travel expenses, cited shortages and migration of doctors as a major public investment loss, and proposed that government MPs donate their salaries to support national needs, including doctors’ vehicle import costs. He also raised specific grievances about alleged medical negligence cases in Mannar and Jaffna, lack of justice for affected families, and disparity in education-related allocations, including a comparatively small allocation for the Jaffna Public Library. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Read →
- 6 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Janaka Senarathna JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Janaka Senarathna highlighted the shortage and emigration of doctors, citing Sri Lanka’s low doctor-to-population ratio, recent departures of about 1,800 doctors, and the risk of further migration by around 5,000 more. He argued that the Budget addresses pressures on health and related sectors by reducing overall state expenditure, increasing development allocations, and raising public sector salaries, with emphasis on improving doctors’ basic pay rather than relying on allowances. He also referred to the effects of PAYE tax after the 2022 bankruptcy declaration and said the Government aims over future Budgets to create structured working hours, adequate leave, and improved professional conditions to retain and attract medical professionals. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Read →
- 6 March 2025 The Hon. Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran ITAK AI summary Kaveenthiran Kodeeswaran raised concerns during the Health Ministry Committee Stage debate about staffing, resource and funding shortages at Thirukkovil Base Hospital and other hospitals in Ampara District, and requested adequate supplies of medicines including Factor VII and Factor VIII. He alleged longstanding neglect of Tamil areas in health planning and called for equitable allocations and services. He also urged justice, compensation and housing support for families of murdered journalists, protections for media personnel in the North and East, and action over cases filed against journalists covering the Mayilathamadu and Mathavanai protests. He further requested expedited permanent appointments for eligible dengue eradication officers who have served for several years. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Read →
- 6 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika argued that Sri Lanka’s strong health indicators were achieved largely through the commitment of health workers working under difficult conditions, and said the Budget begins to provide them with better facilities, recognition and salary structures. He said health-sector migration was driven not only by pay but also by wider national uncertainty, and claimed the Government is addressing this through salary increases, reduced taxes, improved procurement and anti-waste measures, including Rs. 1,750 million in savings from medicine procurement. He stated that doctors and other health workers will receive higher basic pay, extra-duty rates and take-home pay from April, and invited health workers to raise remaining concerns with the Government for further discussion. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Read →
- 6 March 2025 The Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem AI summary Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem said the Health Ministry’s allocation to the Eastern Province, estimated at about 0.12 per cent of the total, was insufficient and requested additional funding. He welcomed the decision to provide a 160 kW generator to operationalize the new Chinese-funded building at Eravur Base Hospital, and asked that the hospital’s old generator be transferred to Eravur Ayurvedic Hospital. He also sought an MRI scanner and a state Osusala pharmacy for Batticaloa, and highlighted shortages of specialists, medical staff, facilities and doctors’ quarters at Eravur Base Hospital. He further requested that the rural hospital at Meeraikerni be upgraded with inpatient care, a permanent doctor, nurses and necessary resources. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Read →
- 6 March 2025 Hon. Ashoka Gunasekara AI summary Hon. Ashoka Gunasekara argued that the Budget recognises and supports the health sector, including doctors, nurses and other professionals who sustained services during the economic crisis, while reducing pressures that contribute to brain drain. He highlighted allocations for indigenous medicine, including Rs. 574 million for the Department of Indigenous Medicine and related services, support for Ayurveda, Sinhala traditional medicine, Unani, Siddha and homeopathy, and programmes such as medicinal plant cultivation under “Osu Diriya” to reduce imports. He also cited funding for hospital-based Ayurveda services, health worker training, screening for people over 35, and school-linked first-aid training aimed at improving household-level preparedness. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Read →
- 6 March 2025 Hon. Ashoka Gunasena JJB AI summary Hon. Ashoka Gunasena rejected Opposition claims that the Budget is not people-centred, arguing that allocations related to SriLankan Airlines concern the protection of a public asset. He said proposals such as school-based autism screening are already reflected in the Budget, and cited this as evidence that it addresses public needs while also acknowledging other constructive suggestions raised in the debate. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Read →
- 6 March 2025 Hon. M.A.M. Thahir ACMC AI summary Hon. M.A.M. Thahir raised health service shortages in Ampara and other districts, citing vacancies in doctors, nurses, support staff, ambulance drivers, pharmacists, a surgeon, a radiographer, and an accountant, as well as shortages of medicines. He requested completion of stalled hospital projects at Sammanthurai and Pottuvil, new facilities and dialysis services at Thirukkovil, PMC branches in poor villages, an Osusala outlet, a Phaco machine for Sammanthurai, and recruitment of Indigenous Medicine graduates. He also urged the Ministry to address health-sector salaries and warned that shortages in public hospitals were increasing reliance on private pharmacies. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Read →
- 6 March 2025 Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe addressed the Health allocation, welcoming the Ministry’s work while seeking action on matters raised at the Consultative Committee, including tabling the list of COVID-19 deaths, filling major staffing vacancies at Pottuvil Base Hospital, establishing an ENT unit linked to Palamunai and Akkaraipattu hospitals, and addressing shortages of the medicine “imigran” in the Eastern Province. He also urged recruitment of more than 2,500 unemployed indigenous medicine graduates and raised concerns that Unani practitioners are disadvantaged under current administrative and legal classifications. Referring to the Mass Media sector, he requested restoration of the SLBC Muslim Service Ramadan broadcast from 40 minutes to one hour. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Read →
- 6 March 2025 Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hon. Hector Appuhamy urged the Health Minister to investigate alleged irregularities and delays in drug and equipment tender files at the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation and Medical Supplies Division, warning that procurement backlogs could cause shortages and undermine the Ministry’s plans. He said remaining networks from previous administrations could create a “Keheliya No. 2” situation unless tender processes and officials’ conduct are examined. He also requested urgent rehabilitation or upgrading of Puttalam Hospital, citing poor sanitation, overcrowding, and the district’s multi-ethnic, low-income population. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage: Ministry of Health and Mass Media Read →