National People’s Power MP Nilanthi Kottachchi told Parliament that Sri Lanka has finally moved past a dark era of ‘miserable’ governance, where even swallowing medicine required suspicion, and is now reaping the rewards of better leadership and global recognition.
Beginning her address with a sharp twist on an old proverb, Kottachchi quipped that under the former administration, the phrase “Think before you jump” had turned into “Think before you sink,” mocking the lack of confidence people had even in the health sector. She claimed that citizens had to think twice before taking medication because of the corruption, mismanagement, and politically driven decisions that poisoned the system.
According to the MP, this was not just ordinary negligence but a form of “white collar crime.” Educated individuals with polished diplomatic skills, she said, abused their authority to carry out crimes against society under the guise of political decision-making. Even public officials who lent support to those decisions, she argued, were complicit. Today, she added with no shortage of irony, many of those individuals are “enjoying the results” of their actions, suggesting that accountability under the law is catching up with them.
Kottachchi insisted that the people’s mandate is clear, to rebuild the country and restore dignity in governance, with a strong emphasis on improving healthcare. She hailed the current administration for delivering on promises to provide quality health services. Unlike the suspicion-laden days of the past, she said, citizens can now have confidence in the system and witness tangible improvements.
To underscore her point, Kottachchi pointed to international recognition. She highlighted the recent appointment of Sri Lanka’s Minister of Health as chair of the World Health Organization’s South and Southeast Asian Regional Conference, claiming it was solid proof that the world acknowledges Sri Lanka’s return to higher standards in healthcare.
In her view, this recognition is not just symbolic but evidence that the country has regained its footing, with the people “raising their heads day by day.” While critics might dismiss her speech as political theater, Kottachchi insisted it reflected the reality of a nation finally breaking free from a culture of corruption and mismanagement.
