Maithripala Sirisena says that the present government is an administration which understands the pulse of the underprivileged people.
Addressing the Parliament on Monday, the President said that all the economic plans are prepared in such a way that underprivileged people could reap more benefits and the government is committed to provide all the facilities needed to uplift the living standard of those people.
The Third Reading of the Budget at the Committee Stage of the Ministry of Housing and Construction and of the Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine took place today in parliament.
President Sirisena participated in the committee stage budget debate of the Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine.
Speaking at the debate the President appreciated the progress made by the respective Ministries and added that the government has made a special contribution to ensure the rights of the people for the free health service of the country.
The President recalling the challenges he faced during the previous government as the then Health Minister in adopting the Medicinal Drug Act as well as in the process of imposing laws against Tobacco and Cigarettes, said today the Minister of Health has been given the opportunity to work freely on free health service of the country.
The President also said that not only for the Minister of Health, but all the ministers have been given the freedom to work in their respective fields.
President Sirisena said that instead of providing a maximum amount of Rs.1.5 million to a cancer patient, today all the expenses of those patients are borne by the Government. He also expressed views regarding the National Nephrology Specialized Hospital which is set to commence the constriction works on 06th December as well as regarding the special programs implemented to free the society from the drug menace.
The Government has also launched several programs for the advancement of indigenous medicine, the President said.
The President also appreciated the success of the National Housing Construction Programme under the Ministry of Housing and Construction.