A power vacuum in the state must be avoided, as it can lead to serious consequences

• Today, I acted to prevent a crisis in Sri Lanka similar to the current situation in Bangladesh.

• We are updating a medical ordinance that has been in place for over a century.

• Plans are underway to implement a comprehensive health service law that will regulate both public and private healthcare sectors- The President at the Medical Council.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that no vacuum should be allowed to occur in state power, as such a situation could lead to a serious disaster.

He further stated that state power must always be smoothly transferred from one party to another.

Referring to Bangladesh’s current situation, the President pointed out that the inability to fill a power vacuum has led to a national crisis. He recalled that in 2022, Sri Lanka too faced a similar threat, but he intervened to prevent it.

President Wickremesinghe made these remarks while addressing the Medical Council under the theme "Doctors for a Healthy Future" yesterday afternoon at Waters Edge Hotel, Battaramulla.

During this meeting, the President's Senior Economic Advisor, Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga, delivered a special lecture on the economic progress achieved over the past two years and the outlook for the future. The doctors directly raised their concerns with the President, who provided reasonable responses.

Expressing further, President Wickremesinghe acknowledged the challenges the country has faced over the past two years and expressed gratitude for the service rendered by the country’s doctors in advancing the nation, despite difficult circumstances. He affirmed his goal to provide better benefits and higher salaries to doctors as the economy recovers.

The President highlighted that both the economic and political systems in the country have collapsed and need rebuilding. He stressed that his "Puluwan - Sri Lanka" (Sri Lanka Can) program includes plans for creating a new Sri Lanka.

In response to a doctor’s question, the President stated that the Ministry of Health has re-established its advisory process to modernize the medical ordinance, which is over 100 years old. He also mentioned plans to introduce a comprehensive health services law that will cover both the public and private healthcare sectors.

During the session, doctors expressed concerns about the Salary disparity in professional standing between themselves and the judiciary following recent salary increases. In response, President Wickremesinghe noted that a decision would need to be made on whether to introduce gradual reforms or implement structural reforms immediately, and he confirmed that attention was being given to the matter.

Continuing, the President stated:

I took over the country when there was no one else available, and I did so very quickly. In situations like this, there should never be a power vacuum; power must transition smoothly from one entity to another. If a vacuum is created, it leads to serious trouble.

This was the issue in Bangladesh—they allowed a vacuum to develop, which proved impossible to fill. Everyone began trying to fill it in their own way, based on their whims, either before or after dinner, depending on their mood. We faced a similar problem in Sri Lanka after President and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned. There was a complete vacuum, and I decided to fill it and take action. Initially, I thought that asking for a committee led by the Speaker to run the government might work, but it would not have been effective. So, I acted as Prime Minister in the President’s absence and took power.

Remember, you must never have a vacuum in power; it must legally pass from one person to another. We took the necessary steps to stabilize the economy, but now we need to strengthen and establish it further. We need to earn more money, which means increasing our GDP, and consequently, your salaries will increase.

To achieve this, we must shift towards an export-oriented economy. The entire medical service should aim to not only cater to our people but also generate a surplus by serving patients from abroad. This approach will help resolve internal issues and support GDP growth, targeting around 7-8% growth over time.

We are also focusing on modernizing agriculture and bringing in smart agricultural practices, which will help alleviate rural poverty and boost prosperity. We have about 300,000 acres that can be developed, and we need to double the number of tourists, increasing earnings per head from $150 to $400. This will provide a significant short-term boost to the economy while we prepare our investment zones, digital economy, and sustainable energy sectors.

If we develop an export-oriented economy, a digital and knowledge-based economy, and modernize agriculture, the country will experience far-reaching changes. We will stabilize the rupee, control inflation, and see income growth. We are also working on various proposals, including the ‘Urumaya’ and ‘Aswesuma’ programs, which provide freehold land, and the conversion of line rooms into villages where people will own their plots.

We are committed to women’s empowerment through the Women’s Empowerment Act and the Social Justice Commission. The new anti-corruption agenda, supported by the IMF, will take another year to fully implement. We are also ensuring representation of women and youth in local and provincial councils and implementing 87 recommendations from the former Chief Justice.

Our political and economic systems have collapsed, and we need to rebuild everything. “Pulwana Sri Lanka” aims to integrate all sectors to create a new Sri Lanka. This effort will not be solely on us; the younger generation will play a crucial role. While we anticipate needing another year or more to fully recover, we value and appreciate the essential services you are providing under difficult circumstances.

Thank you for keeping the country going for the past two years. There will be times of agreement and disagreement with the government, but you are running an important service. My goal is to ensure you have better prospects and remuneration as we rebuild the economy. Each person should receive their due share. Thank you.

Minister of Health Ramesh Pathirana;

In our country, health care is intricately linked with free education. Over the past 76 years of Sri Lanka’s independence, free education and health care have been pivotal factors in shaping our society.

A landmark event in the 20th century was in 1945 when the then-Minister of Education, C. W. W. Kannangara, introduced the Free Education Act to the State Council. This initiative significantly increased school enrolment, leading many children who had previously not attended school to start their education. This shift paved the way for many to enter universities and permanently transformed the nation’s social fabric.

The impact of free education was profound, producing a generation of lawyers, doctors, accountants, engineers, and other professionals who reshaped Sri Lanka’s social structure. As the education system advanced, so did the health system. At the time of our independence in 1948, Sri Lanka had fewer than 500 government doctors. Today, the number has grown to approximately 25,000. Similarly, the number of nurses has risen from around 750 to about 45,000, with more than 150,000 individuals now employed across the entire health sector. The physical resources supporting health care, including hospitals, have also seen significant improvements. Consequently, while life expectancy was just 42 years at independence, it has now increased to 80 years.

Today marks a pivotal moment for reform in the health sector. Our focus is on ensuring patient safety, enhancing service quality, and supporting and uplifting healthcare professionals. The key challenge ahead is to provide the necessary resources and infrastructure. Over the past two years, thanks to the outstanding dedication of healthcare professionals, trust in Sri Lanka's healthcare system has grown. As a government, we are committed to addressing the issues faced by health professionals and recognizing the need for doctors to be acknowledged as a distinct service category with their professional challenges duly addressed.

More than 500 medical professionals, including Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, State Minister Dr. Seetha Arambepola, Members of Parliament Vajira Abeywardena and Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, Dr. Sanjeewa Tennekoon, President of the Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA), Dr. Prabath Sugathadasa, Secretary of the GMOA, Dr. Udita Bulugahapitiya, Dr. Chandika Epitakaduwa, and other members of the Executive Committee of GMOA, as well as representatives from the Association of Medical Specialists, including Dr. Saman Yasawardena.