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- 19 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Susil Ranasinghe - Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply JJB AI summary The Minister said the relevant Board operates in Ampara, Trincomalee and Batticaloa and that he would examine adding design capacity. He stated that he is visiting districts to discuss water plans, intends to visit Batticaloa soon, and will consider the request raised and take appropriate action. Oral Question: Water Supply to Porativu Pattu DS Division and Araiyampathi (Q.353/2025) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath defended the Government’s approach to governance, arguing that it is based on participation, transparency, collective responsibility and fulfillment of Budget commitments, while criticizing the Opposition for persistent criticism and for opposing measures such as abolishing MPs’ pensions. He highlighted Government initiatives including planned housing programmes, 1,000 houses for children leaving care, 1,000 houses for parents who have offered a child to the Sangha, and a preventive public health agenda. He also cited Cabinet approval of LKR 6,000 million for a new hospital in Deniyaya due to landslide risks and said health and education facilities would be planned according to population and geography rather than political considerations. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Namal Rajapaksa criticised the Government for relying on the Tri-Forces and Police during emergencies and industrial action while, in his view, failing to acknowledge war heroes or the victory in the war. He urged the Government to listen to doctors’ demands rather than confront protests, and linked this approach to past unrest, including the death of a Member of Parliament during the “struggle.” He called for a focus on economic recovery, social rebuilding, and improving people’s lives with a clear vision. Debate: Special Commodity Levy Act, Customs Ordinance Resolution, and Motor Traffic Act Orders (Continuation) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna - Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary K.V. Samantha Viddyarathna stated that complaints of wild animal attacks, snake and wasp bites, and chemical-related accidents are reported from JEDB and SLSPC estates, but the Ministry does not receive specific data from regional plantation companies. He said SLSPC reports about 500 wasp-related incidents annually, while JEDB estates recorded 19 wasp attacks, 6 snake bites, 5 elephant attacks and 1 sloth bear attack over the past five years. The Minister outlined preventive measures including removal of wasp nests, avoiding deployment near nests, clearing estate boundaries, use of protective gear, medical referrals, training and awareness programmes, chemical safety procedures, and compliance with environmental certification standards. Oral Question: Hazards Faced by Plantation Workers: Preventive Measures (1466/2025) Read →
- 18 February 2026 The Hon. (Ms.) Ambika Samivel - Question to the Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure JJB AI summary Hon. Ambika Samivel asked the Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure whether the Government is aware of hazards faced by plantation workers, including wild animal attacks, snake and wasp bites, and chemical exposure, and requested complaint statistics for the past five years by category. She also sought details of measures taken to protect workers from these risks and asked whether the Ministry is aware of workplace harassment by employers, whether legal action has been taken to prevent it, and if not, whether such action will be taken in future. Oral Question: Hazards Faced by Plantation Workers: Preventive Measures (1466/2025) Read →
- 17 February 2026 The Hon. Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary The Prime Minister outlined the statutory composition and 2025 membership of the President’s Fund Board of Governors and stated that, following a Board decision on 10 February 2026, medical grant ceilings had been increased to cover approximately 25 per cent of surgery or treatment costs. She detailed service reforms effective from 7 February 2025, including decentralized applications through Divisional Secretariats, digitization, a simplified form, easier certification, representative filing, revised income assessment, and a public hotline. She also listed transparency measures such as online processing, Audit and Management Committee meetings, Auditor-General audits tabled in Parliament, website publication of tariffs and guidelines, RTI responses, and annual activity planning. Additionally, she announced that the deadline for graduate recruitment applications and the qualifying degree date had been extended to 5 March 2026 with Cabinet approval. Adjournment Questions Read →
- 17 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni - Deputy Minister of Health JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister of Health stated that the legal framework has been finalized to impose ceiling prices on medicines and surgical devices, with maximum retail prices to be set based on CIF values for imports. He also said that costly disability-related devices, including hearing aids, can be provided through the Ministry’s named-patient prescription mechanism after specialist confirmation and procurement via the Medical Supplies Division. Oral Question: Improvement of Health Facilities for Persons with Disabilities (Q.8/2025) Read →
- 17 February 2026 The Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva JJB AI summary Sugath Wasantha de Silva raised concerns about persons with disabilities facing administrative barriers in hospitals, including being required to bring companions at personal expense. He asked whether the Ministry would intervene to reduce the cost of assistive medical devices such as canes and walkers when they are obtained outside state provision. Oral Question: Improvement of Health Facilities for Persons with Disabilities (Q.8/2025) Read →
- 17 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni - Deputy Minister of Health JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Hansaka Wijemuni acknowledged communication difficulties in hospitals and said the Health Ministry has begun awareness programmes for staff on sign language and other communication methods, with plans to expand them. He stated that the Ministry’s objective is to ensure hospital staff provide necessary support to admitted patients with disabilities without requiring external attendants or family members. He attributed remaining gaps to administrative issues, including staff being diverted to other minor duties, and said the Ministry is reviewing the situation hospital by hospital to streamline the system. Oral Question: Improvement of Health Facilities for Persons with Disabilities (Q.8/2025) Read →
- 17 February 2026 The Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva JJB AI summary Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva thanked the Deputy Minister for the response and acknowledged the islandwide health programme to reduce disability. He raised concerns about communication barriers between health staff and persons with disabilities, particularly regarding sign language. He also asked the Ministry to address the requirement in some hospitals for disabled patients to have a paid companion caregiver before admission, and to consider alternative arrangements. Oral Question: Improvement of Health Facilities for Persons with Disabilities (Q.8/2025) Read →
- 17 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni - Deputy Minister of Health JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Hansaka Wijemuni, replying on behalf of the Minister of Health and Mass Media, outlined measures to improve hospital access and services for persons with disabilities, including upgraded sanitation, rehabilitation units, prosthetics and orthotics services, priority clinic tokens, accessible clinic facilities, and audio-visual health information. He said there is currently no standardized mechanism to identify persons with disabilities at hospital entry points, but plans include dedicated pharmacy, registration and information counters, sign language and disability-sensitivity training for staff, and recruitment of rehabilitation-related health professionals. He also noted proposals to expand assistive device production and repair, seek tax and regulatory support, involve the private sector and caregivers, and establish rehabilitation units in primary hospitals, while clarifying that financial assistance for medicines and tests is handled by the National Secretariat for Persons with Disabilities, not the Health Ministry. Oral Question: Improvement of Health Facilities for Persons with Disabilities (Q.8/2025) Read →
- 17 February 2026 The Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva JJB AI summary Hon. Sugath Wasantha de Silva asked the Minister of Health and Mass Media to report on measures taken to improve health care and access for persons with disabilities. He sought details on clinic access, priority procedures in medical institutions, staff training and attitudinal development, technical strategies, use of modern technology, financial assistance for medicines and investigations, and measures to ensure equal access to services. Oral Question: Improvement of Health Facilities for Persons with Disabilities (Q.8/2025) Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary In response to Hon. Marikkar’s question, the Minister stated that Sri Lanka has 41 clinics for testing and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS, and that a permanent Director has been appointed since 6 November 2025. He said pre-exposure prophylaxis stocks stood at 36,420 tablets as at 31 December 2025, sufficient for four months, with current support from the Global Fund and the Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka and future provision through government budgetary funds. He also stated that there is no current shortage of essential antiretroviral medicines, including the TLD formulation, though a Global Fund delivery delay had temporarily reduced dispensing from three months to one month; responsibility for uninterrupted supply lies with the National STD/AIDS Control Programme and the Medical Supplies Division. Oral Question: STD and AIDS Testing and Treatment Clinics (Q.6/2025) Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana argued that consumption of “gal” liquor is widespread, including at social events such as funerals, and said general statements about liquor were misleading. He suggested that the new Government could reduce health-related burdens by lowering the price of a bottle of “gal,” addressing the Deputy Minister directly on the matter. Oral Question: Liquor Licensing and Tax Revenue (Q.912/2025) Read →
- 5 February 2026 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana highlighted the high excise revenue earned from locally produced liquor, citing a Rs. 1,832 tax on a 750 ml bottle of commonly consumed arrack. He noted that widespread alcohol consumption contributes to health burdens, with drinkers later requiring free treatment in public hospitals, and linked liquor taxation to the costs borne by the health system. Oral Question: Liquor Licensing and Tax Revenue (Q.912/2025) Read →
- 3 February 2026 The 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 Ayurvedic Medical Council’s Annual Report for 2024. He proposed that it be referred to the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health, Mass Media and Women’s Affairs, and the House agreed. Presentation of Petitions Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M.S. Uthumalebbe supported the Universities (Amendment) Bill while urging the relevant ministries to act fairly in education, justice and defence administration. He called for the establishment of a Medical Faculty at the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka in Oluvil, proposing that nearby base hospitals be used as teaching hospitals to address regional health needs, specialist shortages and limited national medical student intake. He also requested urgent action to fill university staffing vacancies, citing UGC figures on academic and temporary lecturer shortages across several universities. Debate: Universities (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Nalin Bandara Jayamaha criticized the Government’s handling of the Health and Education Ministries, arguing that ministers were interfering in other portfolios while neglecting their own responsibilities. He questioned recent administrative changes at the National Institute of Education, alleging politicization of its governing bodies and mismanagement of qualified academic staff. He also challenged the Government’s proposed education reforms, particularly material he claimed was inappropriate for Grade 6 students, and demanded that any reforms be brought forward transparently rather than through internal conflicts or protests. Debate: Universities (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip JJB AI summary Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa addressed the GMOA’s 48-hour island-wide strike, acknowledging doctors’ contribution to health services while arguing that the Government has already granted substantial salary and allowance increases despite inheriting a bankrupt economy. He detailed phased public-sector salary increases from April 2025, January 2026, and January 2027, including higher overtime, holiday pay, extra-duty rates, and tax relief through the raised APIT threshold. He cited specific increases for preliminary grade, Grade II, and Grade I medical officers to support the Government’s position that doctors’ remuneration has improved significantly. Debate: Universities (Amendment) Bill - Second and Third Reading Read →
- 23 January 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake said Ragama’s development should be planned locally, with support from central government and local authorities, around a “Health City” concept linked to the teaching hospital, nursing school and student population, and as a multimodal transport hub. He noted that the Ministry has planned a multimodal transport centre in Ragama and requested that stakeholders be brought together through the District or Divisional Coordinating Committee to update the urban plan for the next 15–25 years. He stated that the removal of unauthorized business places would be undertaken in the public interest. Oral Questions: Heda Oya Irrigation, Thondaman Foundation, Schools, Hydropower, Sugar Factories, Ragama Town, Monaragala Lands, Badulla Cooperatives Read →