There is no person like me who talks about the health sector. I say that because I’m been with the health sector since 1966. The health department had a lot of weaknesses in the past. Employees could not solve any problems. Everything had to be bribed. All this decades ago. We took action against this and rebuilt the health sector. Today we have weaknesses in the administration. And problems caused by those who do not fulfill their responsibilities properly. Previously, all directors generals, doctors and nurses performed their duties peacefully and responsibly. Nowadays if we take one problem to them, we have to take that problem again and again to solve it. These are the faults of not only the government but also the employees.
People think I am blaming the government, but this is not blaming. I have the strength to point the finger at anyone and say something wrong. From 1966 to the present, the health sector has undergone a major collapse. Therefore, I say it will not be easy for Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi to rectify this if the problems in the health sector are not resolved and the administration is not weakened. This problem existed during the time of Mr. Shiva Obeysekera as well as during the time of Mrs. Renuka Herath. This problem existed during the tenure of Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva and other ministers. This was the case during the time of Minister Rajitha Senaratne but he did not listen to the Medical Association. But he did a lot of work, even bumping into doctors. Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi wants to improve the health department but she pays more attention to the views of the Medical Association. If she continues to dance as the Medical Association says, these problems will be exacerbated.
Medical monopoly
This monopoly is not something that started yesterday. But at one time there was a secretary named Balasingham and in his time there was not a single such authority. Also, during the tenure of Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, the trade unions in the health sector including myself worked in unity. No one was going to be influenced. Also, we raised our voices and obtained the right not to allow the burial of Mr. Sirima. People like Dr. Sunil Ratnapriya and people like Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Minister Rajitha Senaratne did a lot for that. But today the situation is completely different. Today the Medical Association is going on a solo journey.
Selling the resources of the country
At the Abhayaramaya, there is still a sign saying ‘Movement Against the Sale of Local Resources’. I am saying that the majority of the people gave you the consent of President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa not to sell the country again. The investor is not around, but do not sell resources and bring in investors. I request President Gotabhaya to develop the country by bringing in investors without selling resources at 49% or 50%. The President may be discredited for acting without consulting the right people. Therefore, we who did a great deal to bring him to power, we ask him to think. We do not want to anger India. They are our neighbors. The country where the Buddha was born. But there is no need to bow down to what we say in India. With two-thirds majority, the people voted in the belief that it would protect the country’s resources. Because it is the duty of the government to maintain that trust.
Now the government belongs to four or five members
Those who did not shed a single drop of sweat to bring in the government are now with the President. If the captain of the ship makes a small mistake, he will not know where the ship is going. I would like to say that if President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa takes the advice of the right people, he will become as popular as President Mahinda Rajapaksa. But we have to tell the President that we are not happy about this. See questions everywhere. Crash. No one seems to be doing a sensible job. Today we have no answer to the questions asked by the people. There is no point in talking about the cost of living. I am not an economist but I understand people’s grievances well. This needs a proper plan. There is no answer to the needs of the people without a proper plan. This is why people are frustrated with President Gotabhaya