Sajith Requests India’s Support to Resolve Drug Shortages

07-Nov-2025

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Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has requested India’s support to resolve the severe shortage of essential medicines in Sri Lanka’s healthcare system, during a meeting with India’s Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda.

He said that although Sri Lanka has long provided free healthcare, shortages of essential and life-saving drugs now heavily affect hundreds of thousands.

Some medicines are available only through the private sector. He asked India to provide maximum assistance and acknowledged India’s past contributions to Sri Lanka’s healthcare system.

He recalled the 1990 Suwaseriya ambulance service introduced in 2016 under PM Modi, calling it a “life-saving partnership.”

Both sides discussed cooperation to strengthen public health, expand pharmaceutical support, and ensure uninterrupted access to essential medicines.