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Exorbitant charges driving patients away from pvt. healthcare providers – Keheliya, GMOA

Published

3 years ago

2022/12/1

Deputy Minister Sisira Jayakody looks on as Health Minister Rambukwella addresses the Consultative Committee on Health, in Parliament

Private Hospitals Association demands to know basis of Minister’s assertion

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Government hospitals struggling to cope up with shortage of medicine, essential equipment as well as disruption of supplies for want of funds are likely to face a significant increase in the number of patients next year.

Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella recently asserted government hospitals were likely to experience a 25% to 30% increase in the number of patients next year. Rambukwella said so at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Health.

Addressing the Consultative Committee, in his capacity as the Chairperson, Minister Rambukwella warned of a sharp increase in the number of patients at government hospitals as the middle income category found it difficult to seek treatment at private hospitals.

Among those present at the meeting were Minister Naseer Ahamed, State Ministers, (Dr.) Seetha Arambepola, and Sisira Jayakody and MPs Dr. Rajitha Senarathne, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Ashok Abeysinghe, Weerasumana Weerasinghe and Sivagnanam Shritharan

The Consultative Committee discussed the crisis against the backdrop of government hospitals unable to meet the growing demand due to the forex crisis. Lawmakers expressed concerns over the public being forced to obtain treatment at private hospitals as the government couldn’t meet the emergency situation according to the Consultative Committee.

Responding to concerns with regard to the shortage of medicines raised by members of the Consultative Committee, Minister Rambukwella has disclosed the utilization of USD 28 mn grant, provided by China, to procure 14 essential medicines. Director Legislative Services, Janakantha Silva, quoted Minister Rambukwella as having said that in addition to USD 200 mn allocated to cater to the needs of the health sector, the Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval for an additional USD 35 mn for the same purpose.

The Island sought the response of K.A.A.P. Kuruppuarachchi and Sunil Ratnapriya, the President and the Secretary of the Association of Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes yesterday (30), questioned the basis for Minister Rambukwella’s declaration in the absence of any study or survey on the issues at hand.

They explained that it wouldn’t be fair to comment on the Minister’s assertion without knowing the basis he made that particular comment. However, the increase in charges at hospitals and nursing homes, affiliated to the Association, should be examined, taking into consideration the escalation of everything, including medicine, equipment as well as all services.

Responding to another query, the spokespersons emphasized that there was absolutely no basis for claims that excessive charges caused a drop in patients at private hospitals and nursing homes. Kuruppuarachchi pointed out in fact for want of medicine and other required services, some moved to private hospitals from state run hospitals. Actually they didn’t have any other option, Kuruppuarachchi said urging all those concerned to be cautious as the crisis experienced by the health sector couldn’t be taken in isolation.

Kuruppuarachchi underscored the need to take into consideration the increase in charges of electricity, water and other utilities due to unprecedented devaluation of the Rupee this year. The situation remained unpredictable and quite volatile, therefore no one could predict where we were heading, he said.

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) agreed with Minister Rambukwelle’s warning. Dr. Prabath Sugathadasa said that government hospitals had experienced a significant increase in the number of people seeking treatment. The numbers would definitely go up and there was no point in denying the impending crisis, Dr. Sugathadasa said, drawing the attention of the powers that be of the difficulties experienced by the hapless public owing to the debt crisis.

Dr. Sugathadasa said that the situation was so bad some people had no option but to postpone taking treatment as they didn’t have the means to do so.

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Deep Depression likely to cross the Sri Lankan coast between Trincomalee and Jaffna during the morning today (10 January 2026)

Published

1 hour ago

2026/01/10

Priyan

Warning for deep depression to the East of Sri Lanka.
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 01.30 a.m. on 10 January 2026 for the period until 01.30 a.m. on 11 January 2026

The deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal was located about 50 km North-northeast of Trincomalee at 01:00 a.m. on 10 January 2026. It is very likely to move northwestwards and cross the Sri Lankan coast between Trincomalee and Jaffna during the morning today (10 January 2026).

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Landslide RED warnings issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions of Ududumbara, Nildadndahinna and Walapane

Published

18 hours ago

2026/01/9

Priyan

The landslide early warning center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued RED warnings to the districts of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya for the next 24 hours effective from 0900 hrs today [09th January].

Accordingly,
LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Ududumbara in the Kandy district, and Nildandahinna and Walapane in the Nuwara Eliya district.

LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Wilgamuwa in the Matale district, and Mathurata and Hanguranketha in the Nuwara Eliya district.

LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Welimada, Kandaketiya, Badulla, Meegahakiwula, Hali_Ela, Passara and Lunugala in the Badulla district, Minipe in the Kandy district, Ambanganga Korale, Ukuwela, Rattota, Naula and Laggala_Pallegama in the Matale district, and Nuwara Eliya in the Nuwara Eliya district.

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A Policy is being formulated to ensure Child Protection in the use of Technology — Prime Minister

Published

22 hours ago

2026/01/9

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that a policy is currently being formulated to ensure child protection in the use of technology.

The Prime Minister made this statement on Thursday (08) in Kandy while briefing the Most Venerable Mahanayake Theros of the Asgiriya and Malwathu Chapters on the issue that has arisen regarding the Grade 6 English module. Thereafter, printed copies of all modules were presented to the Mahanayake Theros.

Earlier on Thursday (08), the Prime Minister visited the Malwathu Viharaya in Kandy and met the Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Nayaka Thero, the Mahanayake of the Malwathu Chapter, where she explained the error that had occurred in the first print run of the English module for Grade 6 .

The Mahanayake Theros emphasized that education is a sensitive subject and that such matters should be handled with greater sensitivity and proper oversight. They further advised that a formal investigation should be conducted and that education reforms should be carried forward in a systematic manner.

Subsequently, the Prime Minister visited the Asgiriya Maha Viharaya and met the Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Mahanayaka Thero of the Asgiriya Chapter, where she clarified the error related to the English module.

The Mahanayake Thero noted that education reforms are a timely necessity and should be implemented with due oversight and careful review and also pointed out that there are broader issues in Sri Lanka regarding the use of technology, which are evident in the manner in which modern tools such as AI technologies are being used on social media.

Clarifying the issue Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya further stated,

“We have appointed a committee to look into this issue, and based on the recommendations of the National Institute of Education (NIE), steps were taken to remove the relevant lesson. In addition, all printed copies of the relevant module have been stamped, and no module has been distributed to schoolchildren. A formal investigation into this matter has been initiated by the Ministry, and a complaint has also been lodged with the Criminal Investigation Department.

At the same time, we are in the process of formulating a policy on child protection in the use of technology”.

Thereafter, addressing the media and responding to the’ questions raised by journalists, the Prime Minister stated:

“The Opposition is attempting to use this national task for their own political advantage. However, many in society have expressed their views on the issues that have arisen in a positive manner, with the objective of identifying and correcting mistakes. The government has decided to move forward with education reforms by recognizing the error that have occurred and rectifying them. We will take the no-confidence motion brought by the Opposition as an opportunity to further advance dialogue on education reforms”

The occasion was graced by the Most Venerable Anunayaka Thero of the Asgiriya Chapter, Venerable Narampanawe Ananda Nayaka Thero; Deputy Registrar of the Asgiriya Chapter, Venerable Muruddeniye Dhammarakkhita Thero; Deputy Registrar of the Malwathu Chapter, Venerable Mahawela Rathanapala Thero; Members of Parliament Thushari Jayasinghe and Thanura Dissanayake; Mayor of Kandy Chandrasiri Wijenayake; Secretary to the Ministry of Education Nalaka Kaluwewa; and Secretary to the Ceylon Teachers’ Union in Central Province D. D. Wimalaweera.