Major Reforms in Health Sector Next Year – Deputy Minister Hansaka Wijayamuni

13-Nov-2025

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“The government has spent three times more on medicines this year than last year. Major reforms in the health sector are planned for next year,” said Deputy Minister Hansaka Wijayamuni.

He made this statement during the third day of debate on the President’s 2026 Budget Speech on November 11.

He said that Rs.516.7 billion has been allocated to the Ministry of Health for next year — a record increase — to enhance the quality of health services.

Next year would be a year of significant reform, including policy and structural changes. He added that government hospitals would be transformed into institutions preferred by the public, with full digitization of hospital operations. Work will also resume on incomplete hospital buildings, for which funds have already been allocated.

In 2024, Rs.39 billion was spent on medicine procurement; this year, Rs.185 billion was allocated, of which Rs.130 billion had already been spent by October, expected to reach Rs.160 billion by year-end.

Responding to opposition claims that less than 50% of budget allocations were spent, he clarified that they were citing outdated figures from September reports, and that actual expenditure is released with a lag.

He denied opposition claims of shortages of 300 types of medicines, stating that only 60 types were currently in short supply, which were being procured from the private sector.