Former Deputy Leader of the United National Party (UNP), MP Ravi Karunanayake, has raised alarm over the ongoing shortage of essential medicines in government hospitals and public health institutions across the country.
Speaking in Parliament, Karunanayake described the situation as a “severe and long-term crisis” that has persisted since 2022, warning that it has now escalated into a national public health emergency.
He attributed the worsening drug shortage to systemic, financial, and administrative failures within the country’s health and governance sectors.
“The quality of services provided to patients has significantly deteriorated as a result of this crisis,” he said, adding that healthcare workers are also facing serious challenges due to the lack of medical supplies.
Karunanayake called on the government to take urgent and comprehensive measures to address the issue before the healthcare system suffers further damage.
