2026-02-19 / Debate: Judicature (Amendment) Bill and Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading
Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna
2026-02-19
Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna cited Standing Order 111(7), which empowers Sectoral Oversight Committees to examine the suitability of appointments within their jurisdiction, to raise a compliance concern regarding the Teaching Hospital, Jaffna. He stated that a previous government had made an end-post appointment contrary to the Service Minutes, and that the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health, Media and Women's Empowerment had requested the matter be submitted to the Committee if proceeding through the Public Service Commission. As this submission has not been made, he characterised the omission as a violation of Standing Orders and requested the Speaker to direct the Ministry of Health to respond to the Committee Chairman.
Hon. Speaker, Standing Order 111(7) states:
“Each Sectoral Oversight Committee may examine the suitability of any person who has been either appointed to any post or nominated to hold office in any post to any institution within the jurisdiction of that Committee and make recommendations in regard to such persons to the appropriate Ministry.”
At the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health, Media and Women’s Empowerment, we reviewed the Teaching Hospital, Jaffna. An end-post appointment had been made by a previous Government contrary to the Service Minutes. We requested that if it is to proceed via the Public Service Commission, it be submitted to the Sectoral Oversight Committee. To date, it has not been submitted. This is a violation of the Standing Orders. Please instruct the Ministry of Health to respond to the Committee Chairman on this matter.