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 March 2025 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka rejected claims that he opposed support for Hon. Sugath Vasantha de Silva and asked that adequate time be given for line Ministers to respond to questions in debates. He disputed government statements on the Chandrika Wewa and Kiriibbanwewa floating solar projects and the Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm, saying these initiatives had already begun or progressed earlier and should not be presented as new. He said the Government must resolve doctors’ pay and structural salary concerns without encouraging strikes or vilifying doctors, and argued that Sunday and holiday work should be compensated differently from ordinary monthly pay. He also welcomed fisheries plans but urged timely payment of the promised Rs. 25 per litre diesel subsidy, noting delays since November and hardship to fishing communities. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 The Hon. Jagath Vithana SJB AI summary Hon. Jagath Vithana urged the Government to reconsider the proposed salary structure for doctors and supplementary medical professionals before the Appropriation Bill is passed, noting possible industrial action and concerns about disadvantages in the new structure. He also referred to graduate protests outside Parliament and criticized past trade union leaders now in government for their role in mobilizing those groups. He raised a grievance about being discouraged from attending events at C.W.W. Kannangara Central College, contrasting this with other politicians’ participation in school functions, and said he would attend the forthcoming sports meet. He further questioned tax enforcement, alleging that several businesspeople pay no income tax and calling on officials to act to recover significant revenue. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa clarified ahead of the Health Ministry Vote that a threatened doctors’ strike had been withdrawn after discussions and that health services were continuing normally. He said seven supplemental health professional cadres, including pharmacists, medical laboratory technologists, radiographers and therapists, had served significantly during the economic crisis and that the Government was increasing their remuneration to retain skilled staff. He outlined increases in basic salaries across grades, from about Rs. 22,000 at entry levels to about Rs. 43,320 at the highest grade, along with higher overtime hourly rates from April. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 5 March 2025 Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Samanmali Gunasingha said the Budget allocation for the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment is intended to support inclusive development, with particular emphasis on psychological and social empowerment alongside economic measures. She outlined plans to address shortages of counsellors in Divisional Secretariats, conduct regular community mental health awareness programmes, develop gender-sensitive and youth-friendly services, and establish community day centres linked to mental health support. She noted that Rs. 707.15 million has been allocated in Budget 2025 for related institutions and programmes, including services for elders, counselling units, and social security. She also proposed improved data systems for counselling, reintegration pathways, reduced stigma, and pension avenues for informal sector workers, especially women. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Continued: Heads 124, 151, 331 Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Dayasiri Jayasekara criticized the Government for raising expectations on public sector salary increases and then blaming the Opposition for resulting unrest, including recent disputes over fuel distributor commissions and health sector allowances. He urged the Government to engage unions and affected groups transparently, particularly over reductions to medical service allowances. He also proposed absorbing graduate minor-grade employees into Development Officer vacancies through provincial mechanisms and recruiting additional Sri Lanka Administrative Service candidates by lowering the exam cut-off to fill vacancies. He highlighted long-standing salary anomalies affecting management service officers, arguing that recent selective revisions, including for Grama Niladharis, have worsened disparities in the public service salary structure. Appropriation Bill 2025 — Twelfth Allotted Day — Committee Stage Read →
- 4 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Raising a Point of Order, Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna disputed the calculation of doctors’ overtime, stating that the divisor had changed from basic salary divided by 80 to divided by 120, causing reduced payments. He requested an increase in the current six-hour cap on overtime and highlighted staffing pressures, including doctors emigrating and postgraduate doctors working up to 24-hour shifts. Appropriation Bill 2025 — Twelfth Allotted Day — Committee Stage Read →
- 4 March 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa – Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip AI summary The Minister stated that the 2025 Budget does not reduce doctors’ allowances, responding to announced strike action by the Government Medical Officers’ Association and related criticism from Opposition figures. He said the Government is increasing doctors’ basic salaries in phased stages from April 2025 to January 2027, with examples across grades ranging from preliminary grade doctors to consultants, and is also raising extra duty and holiday allowance rates. He argued that doctors are receiving significant salary, increment, allowance, and PAYE tax relief benefits without the need for trade union action, and said some professionals had been misinformed about the full figures. Ministerial Statement: Salary increases for doctors (Budget 2025) Read →
- 4 March 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised a point of order, apologizing for his earlier conduct and asking why he was not being allowed to speak. He drew attention to an alleged incident at Trincomalee Base Hospital in which a doctor assaulted patients, stating that video evidence was circulating in the media, and requested that the matter be looked into. Ministerial Statements and Points of Order Read →
- 1 March 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary Hon. Nalinda Jayatissa said he sought to clarify alleged misunderstandings among a small group of nurses regarding the 2025 Budget salary revisions and to counter claims that public servants’ salaries had been reduced. He outlined increases in basic salary, overtime rates and daily allowances across nursing grades, stating that entry-grade nurses’ gross monthly pay would rise to at least Rs. 133,640 from April 2025, with larger increases at higher grades. He argued that these revisions represented significant improvements within current economic constraints and accused certain individuals or unions of spreading misinformation to mobilize protest action. Ministerial Statement: Minister of Health and Media on Nurses' Concerns Read →
- 1 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Media JJB AI summary During interruptions, the Minister of Health and Media, Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa, did not make a substantive statement beyond addressing the Chair. No policy position, proposal, question, or demand was recorded in the provided excerpt. Debate: Fuel Supply and Energy Crisis (Discussion under Standing Order 27(2)) Read →
- 28 February 2025 The Hon. R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara SJB AI summary R.M. Ranjith Madduma Bandara questioned the Government’s redeployment of MSD and VIP protection personnel, arguing they should be used more effectively against rising underworld crime and drug trafficking, and called for a special court and a concrete plan to dismantle identified gangs. He raised concerns about coordination between the Police and Army following the Isurupaya protest incident, the release of uninspected containers, and the adequacy of measures to curb drugs entering by sea and air. He also urged the Government to address worsening conditions for military personnel and veterans, including pay, food, morale, pensions, disability benefits, and access to medicines and facilities at military hospitals. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate (Defence & Public Security Heads) Read →
- 25 February 2025 The Hon. R. M. Gamini Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. R. M. Gamini Rathnayake supported the 2025 Budget, stating that it fairly distributes the benefits of production and provides record allocations of Rs. 619 billion for education and Rs. 604 billion for health. He also highlighted funding for State digitalization as part of a new economic direction. Responding to Opposition criticism that the Budget is IMF-driven and underfunds key sectors, he cited an international survey indicating increased Government popularity from 24 per cent to 62 per cent within less than six months. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Continuation Day 7) Read →
- 25 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Hon. Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana acknowledged budget allocations for the Jaffna Library and nutrition programmes, but argued that the Government had not fulfilled key promises on education, including tax relief on school stationery and adequate support for school facilities such as water and sanitation. He questioned the use of Rs. 6,000 vouchers for low-income students and said health-related tax burdens and shortages in public hospitals were forcing people to spend more privately. He also criticised the paddy procurement allocation as insufficient, arguing that reliance on private millers could raise rice prices and worsen living costs for ordinary families. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Continuation Day 7) Read →
- 25 February 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani supported the Budget as a people-centred response to the economic crisis, highlighting expanded welfare allocations including Aswesuma, support for persons with disabilities and kidney patients, and measures for women’s and children’s protection. She cited specific proposals for maternal nutrition, Thriposha funding, facilities for children with autism and neurodevelopmental disorders, increased health and education allocations, higher preschool meal and teacher allowances, increased scholarships and university stipends, and larger allowances for sports school students. Referring to Moneragala, she emphasized support for rural women, poor families, and talented children facing economic hardship. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Continuation Day 7) Read →
- 25 February 2025 The Hon. Roshan Akmeemana JJB AI summary Hon. Roshan Akmeemana argued that Sri Lanka’s ageing population and changing economy require stronger state support for eldercare rather than relying only on families. He said raising basic wages would improve retirement income for public and private sector workers, funded through taxes on higher incomes and capital gains. He rejected claims that the Budget was an “IMF Budget,” stating that its revenue measures targeted higher earners while supporting public investment and services. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Continuation Day 7) Read →
- 25 February 2025 The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti - Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary VAT had been applied to domestically manufactured pharmaceutical products and to imported bulk drugs that were packed locally. The Minister stated that the Budget provides for the removal of VAT on those pharmaceutical products. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 (Day 1-7) Read →
- 24 February 2025 The Hon. Manjula Suraweera Arachchi JJB AI summary Manjula Suraweera Arachchi used the Budget Second Reading debate to highlight Nuwara Eliya District’s contribution to the national economy through tea, dairy, vegetables, potatoes and spices, while arguing that its people continue to face severe deprivation. He cited shortages and deficiencies in education, health, housing and roads, including teacher vacancies, limited advanced-level science facilities, under-equipped hospitals, line-room housing and thousands of poor roads. He said the Budget should mark a shift toward sharing the benefits of production with these communities through “economic democracy” and addressing long-standing neglect. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 24 February 2025 The Hon. Ajantha Gammeddage JJB AI summary Ajantha Gammeddage defended the Government’s Budget as a new policy direction focused on economic stability, reform, and reducing state waste, rejecting Opposition claims that it continues previous policies. He cited the President’s earlier statement on the fragility of the economy and argued that the Budget prioritizes rural and low-income communities rather than political allies. He highlighted allocations of Rs. 604 billion for health and Rs. 619 billion for education, saying these address shortages in rural hospitals and schools and support a healthier, better-educated population. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 24 February 2025 The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen SJB AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen urged the Government to complete and fund delayed infrastructure and public service projects in the North, East, Puttalam, and Mannar, including the Silavathurai cultural hall, hospital upgrades, roads, canals, bridges, and resettlement facilities for displaced communities. He called for restoration of withdrawn allocations for IDP areas, urgent rehabilitation of flood-prone bridges and waterways such as Mavadipalli Bridge and Senanayake Samudraya, and faster implementation of Indian-funded projects for Mannar Hospital and aquaculture development. He also requested reopening closed Sathosa outlets, practical support for SMEs, protection of Mannar’s tourism potential from mineral sand extraction, revival of connectivity with Rameswaram, and action on Forest Department land designation issues affecting local communities. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 24 February 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage JJB AI summary Dr. Upali Pannilage stated that the Government has increased several social protection payments, including Aswasuma benefits, disability allowances, and, from April, the kidney patients’ allowance. He said social protection is a core Government policy and described the Budget as strengthening public services and initiating structural transformation. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill, 2025 - Sixth Allotted Day Read →