Namal criticises Dissanayake’s hospital visit remarks, cites drug shortages

Wednesday, 9 September 2026 00:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa yesterday said the Government should not suppress people’s right to seek hospital treatment when they fall sick, responding to a remark by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake that people should reduce their number of hospital visits.

“President Dissanayake has said the annual visits to hospitals in Sri Lanka is found to be 80 million. He has told the people to use traditional medicines such as coriander instead of seeking hospital treatment. This is a suppression of the people’s right to seek hospital treatment,” Rajapaksa said.

He said people in villages have no alternative but to visit their local hospitals. “Village people cannot afford luxurious hospitals like the Ministers,” he said.

Rajapaksa said there was a shortage of life-saving drugs, including those used for cancer patients, and noted that dengue cases had exceeded 100,000. He called on the Government to supply the life-saving drugs.

The MP also questioned the status of election pledges made by the Government, including a promise to construct 50 new universities.

Rajapaksa, who is under arrest, was brought to Parliament yesterday in a prison bus under

heavy security.