• MP Wasantha Yapa Bandara levels equipment-related allegation on including cystolitholapaxy facilities 

While there are nearly 9,000 people on the waiting list to receive the services of the Cardiac Catheterisation Unit at the National Hospital in Kandy, the Ministry of Health has failed to take the necessary steps to provide them with the said services promptly, claimed the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Kandy District Parliamentarian Wasantha Yapa Bandara.

Cardiac catheterisation is the insertion of a catheter into a chamber or vessel of the heart. This is done both for diagnostic and interventional purposes.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, he claimed: "The Kandy Hospital has a Cardiac Catheterisation Unit. It is vital for identifying and treating patients with heart-related conditions, but there are currently around 9,000 patients on the waiting list. If they are to be served promptly, some equipment should be provided to that Unit, but, so far, no steps have been taken by the Ministry to do it." In addition, he claimed that the facilities for cystolitholapaxy (a procedure to remove bladder stones) for patients with bladder stones are also at a minimum level at the Hospital. 

He alleged that the Government has allocated millions of rupees for what he termed as 'unnecessary projects' in the past, and charged that the Government is however reluctant to allocate money for extremely important sectors such as health. "We saw the Government allocating large sums of money for projects under the Tourism, and Labour and Foreign Employment Ministries. They didn’t bring any benefit to the people. But, the Government doesn't do anything when there still exists a shortage of medicines and medical equipment at hospitals."

Attempts to contact Health Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, the Central Provincial Director of Health Services Dr. Nihal Weerasooriya, the Kandy Hospital Director, and the Government Medical Officers' Association Spokesperson, Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe proved futile.