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- 9 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne - Deputy Minister of Mass Media JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Kaushalya Ariyarathne presented Regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act to expedite the clearance of relief goods sent after the “Dissa” cyclone, based on a Presidential Secretariat decision. The Regulations allow Customs release of donated goods to the Disaster Management Centre or Government institutions despite certain licensing controls, permit release of specified banned items received as relief, and allow some food items to be cleared with Food Policy and Safety Committee approval without SLSI certification. She also stated that the Government does not intend to close the “Suwasariya” ambulance service, but plans to expand and improve it to international standards. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act Regulations Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the death of 12-year-old Kuganeshan Dinoja in Mullaitivu on 21 December 2025 is under investigation, clarifying that it is recorded as a death rather than a murder. He said preliminary hospital and provincial inquiries have been completed and submitted to the Ministry of Health, with further investigation focused on whether there was negligence by hospital staff. He undertook to provide further information without prejudicing the ongoing inquiry. Questions by Private Notice under Standing Order 27(2) Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna raised a Standing Order 27(2) question to the Minister of Health regarding the death of 12-year-old Kuganeshan Dinoja at Mancholai hospital after a reported food allergy. He requested detailed information on admission and treatment timelines, staffing and specialist availability, the role and whereabouts of the Medical Superintendent, consent and communication with the parents, police reporting, post-mortem findings, and whether legal or disciplinary inquiries had begun. He also asked whether any fault had been identified, whether the treating doctor had been interdicted, and sought a response to public allegations that the hospital administration was protecting the doctor. Questions by Private Notice under Standing Order 27(2) Read →
- 9 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa said broadcast licences are temporary and subject to conditions requiring truthful reporting, especially on national security and public health. He cited a recent television report on human immunoglobulin procurement as misleading and harmful to public confidence in the health system, noting that the outlet later corrected it. He stated that, as Minister of Health and Mass Media, he has a duty to challenge false health-related information, while emphasizing that criticism of the Government itself is not the issue. Oral Question: Department of Government Information (Q.3) Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna supported the Motion and highlighted malnutrition, educational gaps, and safety risks affecting hill-country children, drawing on his experience as a doctor and teacher. He urged stronger state oversight of orphaned and war-affected children, particularly in the Northern Province, including surveys of private childcare homes and faster child protection interventions. He also called for an investigation into the reported death of a 12-year-old girl at Mancholai Hospital after alleged improper medical treatment, and requested that any childcare programme explicitly include low-income and war-affected districts in the North. Adjournment Motion: Child Safety in Urban Housing Complexes Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Proposed that Motor Traffic regulations be enforced equally against government and non-government actors, alleging politically connected offenders evade action while Police officers are penalized. Raised concerns over the Government’s disaster relief response, saying commitments on housing compensation, resettlement, and support for affected MSMEs and industries remain unclear and delayed. Also questioned issues in education curriculum content, NMRA appointments and medicine regulation, alleged medicine smuggling, and long passport delays faced by Sri Lankans in Italy, urging ministerial action on these matters. Motor Traffic Act Regulations Debate Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera supported the transport-related regulations and highlighted the high incidence of road deaths and injuries linked to alcohol and drug-impaired driving, drawing on his medical experience in emergency and neurosurgical care. He called for stronger road-user discipline, improved visibility of road signs by addressing billboards and visual clutter, and safer school access arrangements where gates open onto main roads. He argued that combining legal measures, infrastructure changes and behavioural change could substantially reduce annual road fatalities and injuries. Motor Traffic Act Regulations Debate Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. (Mrs.) Saroja Savithri Paulraj - Minister of Women and Child Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister said preschool teachers are in a privately run sector under State regulation and therefore cannot be paid as members of a closed public service, but noted that their stipend has been increased to Rs. 6,000. She outlined plans, in discussion with the Ministry of Education, to professionalize the sector through NVQ certification, higher diploma and possible degree pathways, and a closed service framework. She also said preschools are monitored through MOHs, nutrition support has been increased by raising the breakfast allowance from Rs. 60 to Rs. 100 for undernourished children, and relevant institutions are coordinating to improve teacher quality and preschool nutrition. Standing Order 27(2) Questions and Ministerial Statements Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa clarified the roles of the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation and the State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation, stating that SPC imports medicines while SPMC manufactures them. He said SPC imports 464 medical items through the Medical Supplies Division, including the medicine in question from a manufacturer in Himachal Pradesh, India. He acknowledged there had been a shortage but stated that the medicine is currently available in the market. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.117/2024-(2) through Q.1715/2025) Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa raised concerns about delays in procuring a pancreatic enzyme medicine needed by children with chronic lung disease, food malabsorption and cystic fibrosis. He said the drug is not produced by the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation, private procurement costs about Rs. 178,000, and around 35 children have been unable to obtain it. He urged expedited procurement of quality medicines and asked that the reasons for the Corporation’s non-production of the drug be examined. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.117/2024-(2) through Q.1715/2025) Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the Government is addressing neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism, through treatment protocols in 20 hospitals and by identifying the need for coordinated caregiving support beyond the health sector. He said inter-ministerial action is required, particularly involving social security, rural development, and women and child affairs authorities. He noted Budget allocations to improve treatment centres and protective care centres, groundwork for a dedicated centre at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital, and plans to establish a dedicated autism-related unit under the Family Health Bureau. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.117/2024-(2) through Q.1715/2025) Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne, Attorney-at-Law NDF AI summary Anuradha Jayaratne asked whether the Government has a structured pathway for children identified with autism and other disabilities from diagnosis through to social integration, including standardized management protocols where paediatric specialists are available. He also raised the issue of transport barriers preventing regular hospital visits and proposed that the Ministry introduce a programme to facilitate transport to relevant centres. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.117/2024-(2) through Q.1715/2025) Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa responded to a question on autism services for children, stating that the “Inclusive Early Childhood Development” programme received Cabinet and National Planning Department approval in 2025 after beginning as a pilot in July 2020. He said it is being implemented in six districts, with 55 hospitals across the provinces having paediatric specialists and 20 hospitals operating clinics for conditions including autism. He added that Rs. 200 million was allocated in the 2025 Budget and Rs. 100 million in the 2026 Budget for the programme. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.117/2024-(2) through Q.1715/2025) Read →
- 8 January 2026 The Hon. Anuradha Jayaratne, Attorney-at-Law NDF AI summary Anuradha Jayaratne asked the Minister of Health and Mass Media whether the Ministry has implemented a programme for early identification of children with conditions such as autism and provision of therapeutic treatment, and when it began. He requested details on hospitals with paediatric specialists, which of them operate autism-related care clinics, and whether funding has been allocated for necessary infrastructure and facilities. Oral Questions to Ministers (Q.117/2024-(2) through Q.1715/2025) Read →
- 7 January 2026 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan welcomed amendments to the Colombo Port City regime that would allow Sri Lanka to derive revenue, while raising concerns that Mannar District General Hospital still lacked the CT scanner previously promised by the Health Minister. He questioned the Government’s appointment of a committee on the Provincial Council electoral system, arguing that elections should be held immediately under the existing system rather than delayed pending reforms. He also requested that fishermen in Mannar who are prevented from going to sea during adverse weather receive dry rations on the same basis as other disaster-affected communities, as directed by the President. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran ITAK AI summary Hon. Thurairasa Ravikaran welcomed the fisheries workers’ pension and social protection regulations but urged amendments to make them more practical and adequate for fishers’ livelihoods. He proposed flexible, seasonally aligned contribution payments, partial Government co-responsibility, inflation-indexed pensions and compensation, and updated death and disability benefits. He also questioned provisions that deny compensation where alcohol is cited and argued that the disability criteria should be expanded to cover occupational injuries, illnesses, missing persons, and loss of fitness to work, with reference to international practice and ILO Convention C188. Debate: Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Act and Fishermen's Pension Regulations Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa acknowledged staffing shortages in the ambulance service, noting past salary stagnation, inadequate facilities, low recruitment, and staff leaving after training. He said salaries were increased last year in agreement with the Finance Ministry and accepted the need for a promotion scheme. He stated that although 332 ambulances are operating, some areas face insufficient staffing, and measures are being prepared alongside the introduction of new ambulances to address the issue. Oral Question: Batticaloa Suwa Seriya Ambulance Service Operations (Q. relating to Kanthasamy Prabu) Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB AI summary Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy commended the Suwa Seriya ambulance service but raised concerns about the shortage of Tamil-speaking staff at its call centre and in recruitment or promotion processes. He asked whether steps could be taken to increase Tamil-speaking staff so patients and applicants can communicate necessary information effectively. Oral Question: Batticaloa Suwa Seriya Ambulance Service Operations (Q. relating to Kanthasamy Prabu) Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa acknowledged the Member’s proposal regarding ambulance deployment. He stated that, as the number of ambulances increases, it will be possible to assign them to the relevant area. Oral Question: Batticaloa Suwa Seriya Ambulance Service Operations (Q. relating to Kanthasamy Prabu) Read →
- 6 January 2026 The Hon. Kanthasamy Prabu JJB AI summary Kanthasamy Prabu highlighted the need for 1990 Suwa Seriya ambulance services in Vellaveli, Paduvankarai, and Kaluwanchikudy in the Batticaloa District, citing injuries from human-elephant conflict, snakebites, and highway accidents on the Batticaloa–Kalmunai road. He asked whether the service could be established in Kaluwanchikudy to reduce reliance on ambulances from Kalmunai or Kattankudy. Oral Question: Batticaloa Suwa Seriya Ambulance Service Operations (Q. relating to Kanthasamy Prabu) Read →