Privileged medicine

Sandhaya Karunaratna

Several Parliamentarians import a number of expensive medical drugs through the Parliament Medical Centre free of charge, it is reliably learnt.

Official sources said the Parliament Medical Centre bears the cost of drugs imported for Parliamentarians. Health Ministry officials have requested President Mahinda Rajapaksa to stop this unfair practice, these sources said.

The Parliament Medical Centre gives free medical treatment to Members of Parliament and Parliamentary staff. Most of those who import expensive drugs through the centre are said to be affluent individuals.

Asked for a comment, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena agreed this was unfair. The Minister said he imports a drug which he needs from Singapore, once in three months at his own expense.