Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa admits Sri Lanka’s medicine shortage is the result of last year’s mismanaged orders, stressing that drugs cannot be imported like rice and onions. With 85% of tenders completed, he promises relief by mid-November while warning of deeper political ties being exposed in ongoing drug and crime crackdowns.
Sri Lanka’s health sector is facing one of its most critical challenges in recent years as the shortage of essential medicines and medical equipment continues to affect patients nationwide. Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has revealed that the root cause of the crisis lies in the failure to place proper orders last year. Unlike rice or onions, medicines cannot be imported overnight, he explained, as production begins only after tenders are awarded, a process that takes nearly nine months.
Speaking after visiting the Malwatta and Asgiri Mahanayakes, the Minister emphasized that this delay has left hospitals scrambling. He confirmed that between 80% and 85% of the tenders for medicines and surgical supplies required for this year have already been completed, and shipments are expected by mid-November, promising relief for hospitals and patients.
So far, Rs. 350 billion has been allocated to hospitals to purchase medicines outside the Medical Supply Unit. However, the shortage is so severe that certain critical medicines are unavailable even in the private sector. Equipment shortages, particularly those affecting kidney patients, have been worsened because suppliers who won tenders have failed to deliver.
Beyond the medical crisis, Dr. Jayatissa addressed growing crime and drug issues. He confirmed ongoing raids against heroin and methamphetamine networks, with the Criminal Investigation Department exposing vital political connections. Several arrests have already been made, and questioning has led to sensitive revelations that point toward former politicians. Some of these politicians, aware that investigations may soon target them, are attempting to frame the crackdown as a political witch hunt.
The Minister concluded by affirming that the government is committed to tackling not just the medicine crisis but also broader issues such as economic collapse, the rise in crime, and unchecked privileges of political elites, all while working to regain the people’s trust.
