By Saman Indrajith

The SJB yesterday commenced collecting signatures for a no-confidence motion against Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.Opposition and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa announced to the House that his party had decided to move a no confidence motion against Health Minister Rambukwella and invited others to support it.

Premadasa commenced the signing of the motion at his office where the SJB seniors including Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, Lakshman Kiriella, Kumara Welgama, Chandima Weerakkody and other SJB MPs placed their signatures on the motion.

Opposition leader Premadasa after signing the motion informed Parliament that caesarian operations in the Kalutara Nagoda Teaching Hospital had been suspended as the hospital did not have anaesthetics.

“Is this situation a result of lack of funds or due to inefficiency of the government? This would place the lives of expectant mothers in danger. What is the solution for this? I call on the government to provide facilities to enable the Kalutara hospital to conduct caesarian surgeries?” Premadasa said.

State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya: The Finance Ministry has given priority to health expenditure. We do everything possible to purchase medicines.

JVP-led NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake: The health sector has collapsed. There are no medicines in hospitals. The Health Minister says that this is a normal situation. It seems that he has no idea of the true situation prevailing in the country’s hospitals.

Kalutara District SJB MP Dr Rajitha Senaratne: Caesarian operations have been halted not only in the Kalutara hospital but in many other hospitals as well. This is the situation prevailing in this country today. We became a country that eradicated malaria, measles and filaria and three other epidemics. Of these six epidemics malaria, measles and filaria have come up again. There are reports from countrywide of patients afflicted with those diseases. The government talks of building an economy. To build an economy people should first be able to have meals. When we ask, the Treasury says there is no shortage of funds. If this situation continues, the MPs would no longer be able to go to their electorates. Health is nothing but the lives of people. The government must get its act together immediately.

NFF Leader Wimal Weerawansa: We must be more sensitive to the situation prevailing in the government hospitals. Electricity supply has been disconnected to some hospitals for not paying their bills. If the public sector health service collapses, that will benefit private hospitals.