He made these remarks addressing a ceremony recently held at Ratnapura Hospital to open several new development projects under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena.

The minister said the previous government had allocated only 1.8 percent of the GDP for the Health Sector and the present government increased it up to 3 percent. This year it has reached to 3.24 percent, he added.

He stating that as the Health Minister he has taken steps to provide stents for heart patients continuously provide treatments to the cancer patients and conduct blood tests free of charge questioned whether the government has destroyed the free health service of the country. There is no shortage of any drug at present, he added.

He said hostel facilities will be provided to all university students by 2018. A medical faculty will be built by the University of Sabaragamuwa at Ratnapura Hospital and another medical faculty will be built in University of Moratuwa. The number of students recruited to the Karapitiya medical college will also be increased up to 300 from 150, he added. He further said that in the future the country needs more doctors than in the present. Therefore, doors should be opened for the students who are eligible for medical science but were not selected for university education.

Minister also said that hospitals with modern technology would be built and investments have already come for such projects.