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- 22 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam ITAK AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam urged that Government programmes such as “Urumaya” include Tamil translations and called for the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs to function in a manner that promotes religious harmony and equal respect for all faiths. He supported the Clean Sri Lanka programme’s social, environmental and ethical pillars, proposing practical actions on dengue control, road safety, school canteen enforcement, pharmacist availability, waste disposal, illegal construction, deforestation, grazing land issues and unsafe gravel extraction. He also raised concerns about Tamil language barriers among officials, displaced persons being prevented from accessing land, unused public vehicles and underutilized public infrastructure, arguing that anti-corruption and efficient public asset use should begin at grassroots level. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme (Postponed from 2025-01-21) Read →
- 22 January 2025 The Hon. Nalinda Jayathissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary The Annual Performance Report of the Ministry of Health for 2023 was presented to Parliament. It was proposed and agreed that the report be referred to the Consultative Committee on the Ministry of Health and Mass Media. Papers: Annual Reports Tabled (Sri Lanka Institute of Policy Studies, Ministry of Health, Department of Coast Conservation) Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa JJB AI summary Responding to a reference to his name, Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa addressed claims that a medicine formerly priced at Rs. 76,000 is now sold at Rs. 370. He suggested that further details, including the ownership of the company and the reasons for the price change, should be sought from the Member for Alawatuwala in the relevant district. Adjournment Debate: Clean Sri Lanka Programme Read →
- 21 January 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa stated that the matter is being discussed with the Department of Ayurveda. He said a final answer would be provided at the next sitting. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 The Hon. Dewananda Suraweera JJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Health and Mass Media whether the Ministry is aware of the settlement in Supreme Court fundamental rights case SC FR 55/2019 concerning admission to the Ayurveda Shastri course. He sought confirmation that the first petitioner was admitted in 2019, that the other petitioners had completed their examinations, and whether the Department of Ayurveda has taken steps to commence the Ayurveda Shastri course, requesting reasons if not. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa JJB AI summary Cancer was described as a major national health burden, particularly affecting women and imposing serious social and economic costs on families. Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa said a 2018 Ministry project worth USD 29 million to replace Cobalt-60 machines with linear accelerators had faced delays in Phase I, though equipment had been provided to Jaffna, Batticaloa, Galle, Kandy and the National Cancer Institute, and implementation had been expedited after the election. He stated that Phase II, covering Hambantota, Ratnapura, Anuradhapura, Kurunegala and Badulla hospitals, was agreed the previous day and is expected to be completed within about eight months, with interim referrals to Apeksha Hospital for affected patients. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera asked a supplementary question regarding the Ministry of Health’s initiative to install linear accelerator systems for radiotherapy in hospitals. He sought details on how many hospitals would be covered by the project and when cancer patients would be able to access its benefits. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa said the Ministry of Health is working to establish End-Post positions on a scientific, needs-based basis to ensure patient care, support doctors, and maintain medical student training. He stated that discussions are ongoing with specialist and medical officer associations to regularize the process, particularly through teaching hospitals, and to create a mechanism for deploying specialists to underserved locations. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera sought clarification on the placement process for specialist medical teams returning after overseas training, stating that poor placements and inadequate facilities have contributed to specialists leaving Sri Lanka again. He highlighted impacts on fields such as ENT and requested data on specialists currently in service, those who have left, and those expected to return, so that placements can be planned to prevent future shortages. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa stated that “End Post” positions in government teaching hospitals were created under Gazette Extraordinary No. 1176/15 of 22 March 2001 to meet service requirements. He said their objectives include developing centres of excellence, improving use of hospital resources, increasing specialist availability, enhancing medical training, and reducing specialist brain drain. He further noted that no additional issue arose regarding the matter, as an existing transfer policy is already in operation. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 21 January 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera asked the Minister of Health and Media whether a new “End Post” designation for specialist doctors in certain major government hospitals has been created and, if so, on what scientific basis. He questioned whether such posts are being created at the discretion of individual officers and requested a formal, transparent methodology to prevent manipulation, including a timeframe for its implementation. Oral Questions (Multiple Questions) Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem AI summary Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem highlighted unresolved development and resettlement issues in Batticaloa District, particularly the need for housing, access roads, and basic infrastructure for 56 long-displaced families in Kalliyanchchai and for about 500 families in Ragam and Vadichchal, including elephant fences to address human-elephant conflict. He requested urgent staffing and facilities for Eravur Base Hospital and support for Eravur Ayurveda Hospital, including a generator and vehicle. He also called for multi-ethnic public service appointments across communities and urged the Government’s Clean Sri Lanka programme to prioritize action against narcotics, ensuring both small and large offenders are brought before the law. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) S. Sri Bavanandarajah said the Government should address post-war issues in the Northern Province, including returning private lands in areas such as Valikamam North, reopening restricted roads, releasing long-detained political prisoners, and providing answers on missing persons. He highlighted shortages in health services in Jaffna and Kilinochchi, calling for cadre revisions, filling vacancies, and constructing a proper maternity ward at Jaffna Teaching Hospital, where he said more than 6,000 births occur annually in temporary facilities. He also called for strong action against narcotics and for industrial development to create employment opportunities for youth. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani JJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) M.A.C.S. Chathuri Gangani attributed current rice and commodity issues to long-term economic mismanagement by previous governments, citing high food inflation, malnutrition, school dropouts, and the hardship faced by children, pregnant mothers, and families during the recent crisis. She said the government had taken measures within its first 100 days, including tax reductions on local dairy products, lower import duty on big onions, short-term imports of essential goods, and a Rs. 6,000 education grant for children in schools with fewer than 300 students. She also referred to past attacks on journalists in responding to Opposition comments on media freedom, and stated that the government’s priority under the Clean Sri Lanka programme is poverty reduction and rebuilding living standards. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake alleged that Rs. 7 million in expenditure, including payments for a singer, recording, a website, and related costs, had been rejected by the President’s Office Accounts Branch due to improper procurement, and said he would table the documents. He urged the Health Minister to make better use of river resources for hospital water and hygiene and to prioritize building new hospitals over publicity-focused activities. He also called for quicker and more substantive responses to parliamentary questions, while referring to the role of 22 MPs who previously crossed over to support the current Government. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella seconded the Adjournment Motion and compared the Government’s first 100 days with earlier “100-day” programmes, citing price reductions under the 2015 Yahapalana Government. She argued that the current administration’s promises to reduce or abolish VAT on essentials such as food, medicine and school supplies have not been implemented, noting that VAT remains at 18 per cent and Special Commodity Levies continue on several goods. She also raised concerns about shortages of essential medicines in state hospitals and the cost burden on patients, and condemned social media defamation targeting two women Members of Parliament. Adjournment Debate: Government Performance and Commodity Prices Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the available Ministry reply was not adequate because the question referred to Chapter 7 of the Clinical Practice Guidelines for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients, which had subsequently been revised as Chapter 8. He requested two weeks to provide a comprehensive and accurate response. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media JJB AI summary The Minister said the Government, President, and Epidemiology Unit were closely monitoring HMPV and would promptly inform the public and take precautions if any case was detected. He clarified that media reports claiming a current first case had misrepresented a reference to an earlier occurrence, noting that one suspected case had tested negative and 20 testing sites had been designated. He urged media and social media to report scientifically and responsibly on health issues that could affect public welfare and the economy. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB AI summary Asked what actions the Government has taken or intends to take regarding reports of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in China and related media coverage in Sri Lanka that has caused public concern. The question sought clarification on public health preparedness and communication measures. Oral Questions Read →
- 9 January 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayathissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media JJB AI summary The Minister acknowledged serious health-sector staffing shortages at all levels, attributing them to both insufficient personnel and distribution problems. He stated that staff are being redeployed to critical locations and that nursing cohorts will be recruited in the first quarter to help address hospital-level shortages. Oral Questions Read →